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Yellowback tubelip (Labropsis xanthonota) — Labridae

Yellowback tubelip

Labropsis xanthonota
Family: Labridae

The Yellowback tubelip (Labropsis xanthonota) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–55.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Solomon Is., Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel), Bassas da India and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Yellowback tubelip is a wrasse (Labridae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 13 cm and has tubular, folded lips adapted to sucking coral mucus and polyps. Adult males have a yellow back and blue markings; juveniles mimic cleaner wrasses. As a reef-dweller it lives around coral reefs. Like many wrasses it changes sex and colour. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellowback tubelip?

The Yellowback tubelip has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Yellowback tubelip live?

The Yellowback tubelip lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Solomon Is., Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel), Bassas da India and others

How big does the Yellowback tubelip get?

The Yellowback tubelip grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Yellowback tubelip dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellowback tubelip 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.

Is the Yellowback tubelip edible?

Yes, the Yellowback tubelip is commonly eaten.

More photos

Yellowback tubelip (Labropsis xanthonota) — Labridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Yellowback tubelip (Labropsis xanthonota) — Labridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Yellowback tubelip (Labropsis xanthonota) — Labridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Yellowback tubelip (Labropsis xanthonota) — Labridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Motusaga Vaeoso, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Yellowback tubelip sourced
Scientific name
Labropsis xanthonota
Family
Labridae
Other names
Blacklobe wrasse; V-tail tubelip wrasse; V-tail wrasse; Wedge-tailed wrasse; Yellowback tubelip wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown 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)
55.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Solomon Is., Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel), Bassas da India 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Labropsis

Allen's tubelip (Labropsis alleni) — Labridae
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Fin

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