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Spinster wrasse (Halichoeres nicholsi) — Labridae

Spinster wrasse

Halichoeres nicholsi
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Spinster wrasse (Halichoeres nicholsi) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
38 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–53.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The spinster wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from the eastern Pacific. The species changes colour strongly with age; adult males are green with a black blotch and yellow tints. It lives over sand and gravel bottoms near coral reefs; adults are solitary, while juveniles form aggregations. With its jaw teeth it picks small invertebrates from the bottom and cracks hard-shelled prey. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spinster wrasse?

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

Where does the Spinster wrasse live?

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

How big does the Spinster wrasse get?

The Spinster wrasse grows to a maximum of about 38 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Spinster wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Spinster wrasse is harmless to humans.

Is the Spinster wrasse edible?

The Spinster wrasse is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Nichols' lipvis sourced
English name
Spinster wrasse verified
Scientific name
Halichoeres nicholsi
Family
Labridae
Other names
Spinster wrasse verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

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 Halichoeres

More from the family Labridae

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