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Eastern Pacific rainbow wrasse (Thalassoma loxum) — Labridae

Eastern Pacific rainbow wrasse

Thalassoma loxum
Family: Labridae

The Eastern Pacific rainbow wrasse (Thalassoma loxum) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–2.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The eastern Pacific rainbow wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from reef and rocky water of the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate body that changes colour with age: juveniles are striped, old males green-blue with pink and yellow bands. As a day-active, fast swimmer it picks small crustaceans, molluscs and worms from reef and bottom. Like many wrasses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Eastern Pacific rainbow wrasse?

The Eastern Pacific rainbow wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Eastern Pacific rainbow wrasse live?

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

How big does the Eastern Pacific rainbow wrasse get?

The Eastern Pacific rainbow wrasse grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Eastern Pacific rainbow wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Eastern Pacific rainbow wrasse is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Oost-Pacifische regenbooglipvis sourced
English name
Eastern Pacific rainbow wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Thalassoma loxum
Family
Labridae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2.0 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
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. 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 Thalassoma

More from the family Labridae

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