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Torpedo wrasse (Pseudocoris heteroptera) — Labridae

Torpedo wrasse

Pseudocoris heteroptera
Family: Labridae

The Torpedo wrasse (Pseudocoris heteroptera) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–54.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., French Polynesia, Indonesia and others

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Description

The Torpedo wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 14 cm and has an elongate, green-blue with red lines on the head body that changes colour with age and sex. As a day-active, bottom-oriented fish it swims above coral and rock and picks small crustaceans, molluscs and zooplankton. Like many wrasses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Torpedo wrasse?

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

Where does the Torpedo wrasse live?

The Torpedo wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., French Polynesia, Indonesia and others

How big does the Torpedo wrasse get?

The Torpedo wrasse grows to a maximum of about 20 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Torpedo wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Torpedo 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

Torpedo wrasse (Pseudocoris heteroptera) — Labridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Torpedo wrasse (Pseudocoris heteroptera) — Labridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Torpedo wrasse (Pseudocoris heteroptera) — Labridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Wayne and Pam Osborn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Torpedo wrasse (Pseudocoris heteroptera) — Labridae — 5
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
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All data

Identification

English name
Torpedo wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Pseudocoris heteroptera
Family
Labridae
Other names
Torpedo wrasse; Zebra wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 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)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
54.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., French Polynesia, Indonesia and others 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
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 Pseudocoris

Redspot wrasse (Pseudocoris yamashiroi) — Labridae
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Fin

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