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Multicolorfin rainbowfish (Parajulis poecilepterus) — Labridae

Multicolorfin rainbowfish

Parajulis poecilepterus
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Multicolorfin rainbowfish (Parajulis poecilepterus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 34 cm.

Length
34 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northwest Pacific, around Japan, Korea and China.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The multicolorfin rainbowfish is a brightly coloured wrasse (Labridae) from the northwestern Pacific, around Japan, Korea and China. The species reaches about 34 cm and has a streamlined body with a striking pattern of green, red and blue tones and lateral stripes; males and females differ in colour. It lives near shore over pebble, rock and coral bottoms and feeds on small bottom invertebrates. Like many wrasses the species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, beginning life as a female and later able to change into a male. The fish is eaten locally.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Multicolorfin rainbowfish?

The Multicolorfin rainbowfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Bold colour pattern with differences between the sexes; protogynous hermaphrodite.

Where does the Multicolorfin rainbowfish live?

The Multicolorfin rainbowfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northwest Pacific, around Japan, Korea and China.

How big does the Multicolorfin rainbowfish get?

The Multicolorfin rainbowfish grows to a maximum of about 34 cm. On average the species is around 22 cm.

Is the Multicolorfin rainbowfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Multicolorfin rainbowfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Multicolorfin rainbowfish edible?

Yes, the Multicolorfin rainbowfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Multicolorfin rainbowfish (Parajulis poecilepterus) — Labridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Seokin Yang, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Multicolorfin rainbowfish (Parajulis poecilepterus) — Labridae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — 唐山健志郎 (Public domain)
Multicolorfin rainbowfish (Parajulis poecilepterus) — Labridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) battari, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Multicolorfin rainbowfish (Parajulis poecilepterus) — Labridae — 5
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM

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All data

Identification

English name
Multicolorfin rainbowfish verified
Scientific name
Parajulis poecilepterus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Peacock Wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
34 verified
Average length (cm)
22 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured
Pattern
Horizontal stripes
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Northwest Pacific, around Japan, Korea and China.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Bold colour pattern with differences between the sexes; protogynous hermaphrodite. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Labridae

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