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Choat's wrasse (Macropharyngodon choati) — Labridae

Choat's wrasse

Macropharyngodon choati
Family: Labridae

The Choat's wrasse (Macropharyngodon choati) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Choat's wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from reef and rocky water of eastern Australia. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a stocky body with a fine pattern of orange and blue-green spots that changes with age. As a day-active, bottom-oriented fish it swims above coral and sand and picks small snails, crustaceans 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 Choat's wrasse?

The Choat's wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Choat's wrasse live?

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

How big does the Choat's wrasse get?

The Choat's wrasse grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Choat's wrasse dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Choat's wrasse edible?

Yes, the Choat's wrasse is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Choats lipvis sourced
English name
Choat's wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Macropharyngodon choati
Family
Labridae
Other names
Choat's wrasse; Red-flecked wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Macropharyngodon

More from the family Labridae

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