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Allen's wrasse (Dotalabrus alleni) — Labridae

Allen's wrasse

Dotalabrus alleni
Family: Labridae

The Allen's wrasse (Dotalabrus alleni) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1–15 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

Allen's wrasse is a small wrasse (Labridae) from temperate coastal waters of Western Australia. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky, brown-green body with fine pale spots. As a reef-dweller it lives among weed, seagrass and on shallow rocky reefs and picks small invertebrates from the growth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Allen's wrasse?

The Allen's wrasse has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Allen's wrasse live?

The Allen's wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Allen's wrasse get?

The Allen's wrasse grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Allen's wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Allen's 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

Allen's wrasse (Dotalabrus alleni) — Labridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) J. Martin Crossley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Allen's wrasse (Dotalabrus alleni) — Labridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) J. Martin Crossley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))

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All data

Identification

English name
Allen's wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Dotalabrus alleni
Family
Labridae
Other names
Allen's wrasse; Little rainbow wrasse; Allen's polly verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1 verified
Max depth (m)
15 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

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

More from the family Labridae

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