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Celebes wrasse (Oxycheilinus celebicus) — Labridae

Celebes wrasse

Oxycheilinus celebicus
Family: Labridae

The Celebes wrasse (Oxycheilinus celebicus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
24 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3–40 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Myanmar, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Celebes wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from the western Pacific, around Indonesia. The species grows to about 24 cm and has an elongate, red-brown to greenish body with fine lines on the head and a pointed tail. As a reef-dweller it stalks among coral branches and hunts small fish and crustaceans. Like many wrasses it can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Celebes wrasse?

The Celebes wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Celebes wrasse live?

The Celebes wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Myanmar, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia and others

How big does the Celebes wrasse get?

The Celebes wrasse grows to a maximum of about 24 cm.

Is the Celebes wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Celebes 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.

Is the Celebes wrasse edible?

Yes, the Celebes wrasse is commonly eaten.

More photos

Celebes wrasse (Oxycheilinus celebicus) — Labridae — 2
Misho Rusev (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Celebes wrasse (Oxycheilinus celebicus) — Labridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Celebes wrasse (Oxycheilinus celebicus) — Labridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Celebes wrasse (Oxycheilinus celebicus) — Labridae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)

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All data

Identification

English name
Celebes wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Oxycheilinus celebicus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Celebes maoriwrasse; Celebes wrasse; Eared maori wrasse; Slender maori; Slender maori wrasse; Celebes maori wrasse; Wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
24 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3 verified
Max depth (m)
40 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Myanmar, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
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

Same genus Oxycheilinus

More from the family Labridae

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