Home · Labridae · Pinkbelly wrasse
Pinkbelly wrasse (Halichoeres chlorocephalus) — Labridae

Pinkbelly wrasse

Halichoeres chlorocephalus
Family: Labridae

The Pinkbelly wrasse (Halichoeres chlorocephalus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Pinkbelly wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, green with a pink belly body that changes colour with age and sex. As a day-active, bottom-oriented fish it swims above coral, rock and sand and picks small crustaceans, molluscs and worms; at night it buries in the sand. Like many wrasses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pinkbelly wrasse?

The Pinkbelly wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Pinkbelly wrasse live?

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

How big does the Pinkbelly wrasse get?

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

Is the Pinkbelly wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Pinkbelly wrasse is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Groenkop-lipvis sourced
English name
Pinkbelly wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Halichoeres chlorocephalus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Greenhead wrasse sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 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
Min depth (m)
15.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
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

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →