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Black wrasse (Halichoeres adustus) — Labridae

Black wrasse

Halichoeres adustus
Family: Labridae

The Black wrasse (Halichoeres adustus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–3.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The black wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from the eastern Pacific, around remote islands such as the Galapagos and Cocos. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a mostly dark to black body with fine pale lines on the head. As a reef-dweller it swims by day over rocky reefs and picks small invertebrates; at night it buries itself in the sand. Like many wrasses it changes sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black wrasse?

The Black wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly black.

Where does the Black wrasse live?

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

How big does the Black wrasse get?

The Black wrasse grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Black wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Black wrasse is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwarte lipvis sourced
English name
Black wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Halichoeres adustus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Black wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Halichoeres

More from the family Labridae

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