Home · Labridae · Fourline wrasse
Fourline wrasse (Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia) — Labridae

Fourline wrasse

Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia
Family: Labridae

The Fourline wrasse (Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6–44 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Cook Is., Fiji, Tuamotu Is., French Polynesia, Guam and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Fourline wrasse?

Description

The fourline wrasse is a small, secretive wrasse (Labridae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has an orange-red body with four bright blue longitudinal lines. As a reef-dweller it moves about hidden among coral branches and rubble of shallow reefs and picks small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fourline wrasse?

The Fourline wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Fourline wrasse live?

The Fourline wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: American Samoa, Cook Is., Fiji, Tuamotu Is., French Polynesia, Guam and others

How big does the Fourline wrasse get?

The Fourline wrasse grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Fourline wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Fourline 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 Fourline wrasse edible?

Yes, the Fourline wrasse is commonly eaten.

More photos

Fourline wrasse (Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia) — Labridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fourline wrasse (Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia) — Labridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — NOAA Photo Library (CC BY 2.0)
Fourline wrasse (Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia) — Labridae — 4
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fourline wrasse (Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia) — Labridae — 5
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM

Want the complete picture on the Fourline wrasse?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Fourline wrasse is one of 12,519 species in the app.

All data

Identification

English name
Fourline wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia
Family
Labridae
Other names
Fourline wrasse; Four-lined wrasse; Fourstripe wrasse; Neon wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
6 verified
Max depth (m)
44 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Cook Is., Fiji, Tuamotu Is., French Polynesia, Guam and others 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten
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

Same genus Pseudocheilinus

More from the family Labridae

Want the complete picture on the Fourline wrasse?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Fourline wrasse is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Is this the Fourline wrasse?