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Bleeker's wrasse (Halichoeres bleekeri) — Labridae

Bleeker's wrasse

Halichoeres bleekeri
Family: Labridae

The Bleeker's wrasse (Halichoeres bleekeri) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Bleeker's wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from shallow reef and sand water of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, greenish with pink and blue lines body that changes colour greatly with age and sex. As a bottom-oriented fish it swims by day over sand and reef bottoms and picks small crustaceans, molluscs and worms; at night it dives into the sand. Like many wrasses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bleeker's wrasse?

The Bleeker's wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Bleeker's wrasse live?

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

How big does the Bleeker's wrasse get?

The Bleeker's wrasse grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Bleeker's wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Bleeker's wrasse is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bleekers lipvis sourced
English name
Bleeker's wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Halichoeres bleekeri
Family
Labridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.2 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
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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