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Spotted-tail rainbowfish (Halichoeres trimaculatus) — Labridae

Spotted-tail rainbowfish

Halichoeres trimaculatus
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Spotted-tail rainbowfish (Halichoeres trimaculatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
27 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The threespot wrasse is a wrasse of the family Labridae from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 27 cm and has a greenish body with reddish lines on the head; adult males bear a conspicuous dark blotch on the tail base, and juveniles have a few dark spots on the back. It inhabits sandy parts of reef flats, lagoons and semi-protected seaward reefs. As a bottom predator it feeds on small invertebrates such as crustaceans and molluscs. Like many wrasses it changes sex during life, from female to male, and dives into the sand when threatened. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted-tail rainbowfish?

The Spotted-tail rainbowfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Spotted-tail rainbowfish live?

The Spotted-tail rainbowfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Spotted-tail rainbowfish get?

The Spotted-tail rainbowfish grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Spotted-tail rainbowfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted-tail rainbowfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Spotted-tail rainbowfish edible?

The Spotted-tail rainbowfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Drievlek-lipvis sourced
English name
Spotted-tail rainbowfish verified
Scientific name
Halichoeres trimaculatus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Three-spot rainbowfish; Threespot wrasse; Three-spot wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.0 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)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups 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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