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Sunset wrasse (Thalassoma grammaticum) — Labridae

Sunset wrasse

Thalassoma grammaticum
Family: Labridae

The Sunset wrasse (Thalassoma grammaticum) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 32 cm.

Length
32 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–42.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Costa Rica, Galapagos Is., El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and others

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Description

The sunset wrasse is a colourful wrasse (Labridae) from the eastern Pacific, off Central and South America. The species grows to about 32 cm and has a green body with orange and pink tones and band markings on the head, like a sunset. As a reef-dweller it swims actively by day over rocky and coral reefs and hunts small invertebrates and small fish. Like many wrasses it changes sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sunset wrasse?

The Sunset wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Sunset wrasse live?

The Sunset wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: Costa Rica, Galapagos Is., El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and others

How big does the Sunset wrasse get?

The Sunset wrasse grows to a maximum of about 32 cm.

Is the Sunset wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Sunset 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.

More photos

Sunset wrasse (Thalassoma grammaticum) — Labridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Robin Gwen Agarwal, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sunset wrasse (Thalassoma grammaticum) — Labridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — (c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY) (CC BY 4.0)
Sunset wrasse (Thalassoma grammaticum) — Labridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — (c) desertnaturalist, some rights reserved (CC BY) (CC BY 4.0)
Sunset wrasse (Thalassoma grammaticum) — Labridae — 5
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Sunset wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Thalassoma grammaticum
Family
Labridae
Other names
Sunset wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
32.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate) inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
42.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Costa Rica, Galapagos Is., El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
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
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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 Thalassoma

More from the family Labridae

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