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Forktail wrasse (Suezichthys bifurcatus) — Labridae

Forktail wrasse

Suezichthys bifurcatus
Family: Labridae

The Forktail wrasse (Suezichthys bifurcatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
80.0–100.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Forktail wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from reef, rocky and seagrass water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, red-brown with fine pale lines 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 Forktail wrasse?

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

Where does the Forktail wrasse live?

The Forktail wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Forktail wrasse get?

The Forktail wrasse grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Forktail wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Forktail wrasse is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vorkstaart-lipvis sourced
English name
Forktail wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Suezichthys bifurcatus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Striped trawl wrasse verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
80.0 verified
Max depth (m)
100.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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