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Spinster wrasse (Suezichthys devisi) — Labridae

Spinster wrasse

Suezichthys devisi
Family: Labridae

The Spinster wrasse (Suezichthys devisi) is a brackish-water fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
5.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia

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Description

The Spinster wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from reef, rocky and seagrass water of the waters around Australia. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, red-brown with a pale belly body that changes colour with age and sex. As a day-active, bottom-oriented fish it swims over sand, weed and rock and picks small crustaceans, molluscs and worms. Like many wrasses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spinster wrasse?

The Spinster wrasse has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Spinster wrasse live?

The Spinster wrasse lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia

How big does the Spinster wrasse get?

The Spinster wrasse grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Spinster wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Spinster wrasse is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Spinster wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Suezichthys devisi
Family
Labridae
Other names
Australian slender-wrasse; De Vis' rainbow-fish; Gracilis wrasse; Australian rainbow wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Suezichthys

More from the family Labridae

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