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Sharpnose wrasse (Cymolutes lecluse) — Labridae

Sharpnose wrasse

Cymolutes lecluse
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Sharpnose wrasse (Cymolutes lecluse) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
17.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–119.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The sharpnose wrasse is a slender wrasse from the Indo-West Pacific, including around Hawaii. The species grows to about 18 cm and has an elongate, pale body with a pointed head. It lives on sand flats near reefs and, when threatened, dives at lightning speed into the sand to hide. It feeds on small benthic invertebrates. Like other wrasses it is a protogynous hermaphrodite. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sharpnose wrasse?

The Sharpnose wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Sharpnose wrasse live?

The Sharpnose wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Sharpnose wrasse get?

The Sharpnose wrasse grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Sharpnose wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Sharpnose wrasse is harmless to humans.

Is the Sharpnose wrasse edible?

The Sharpnose wrasse is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Leclus lipvis verified
English name
Sharpnose wrasse verified
Scientific name
Cymolutes lecluse
Family
Labridae
Other names
Hawaiian knifefish; Sharp-headed wrasse; Sharp-headed wrasse fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.8 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
119.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cymolutes

More from the family Labridae

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