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Thinline wrasse (Halichoeres leptotaenia) — Labridae

Thinline wrasse

Halichoeres leptotaenia
Family: Labridae

The Thinline wrasse (Halichoeres leptotaenia) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–15.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Em.

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Description

The Thinline wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, green with fine longitudinal lines body that changes colour with age and sex. As a day-active, bottom-oriented fish it swims above coral, rock and sand and picks small crustaceans, molluscs and worms; at night it buries in the sand. Like many wrasses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Thinline wrasse?

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

Where does the Thinline wrasse live?

The Thinline wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Em.

How big does the Thinline wrasse get?

The Thinline wrasse grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Thinline wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Thinline 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
Thinline wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Halichoeres leptotaenia
Family
Labridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.4 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)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Em. 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 Halichoeres

More from the family Labridae

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