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Chiseltooth wrasse (Pseudodax moluccanus) — Labridae

Chiseltooth wrasse

Pseudodax moluccanus
Family: Labridae

The Chiseltooth wrasse (Pseudodax moluccanus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The chiseltooth wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, dark blue-grey body with a yellow nape band and prominent, forward-projecting, chisel-shaped incisor teeth. With these teeth it rasps algae, sponges and small invertebrates from the reef. Juveniles act as cleaners. Like many wrasses it changes sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chiseltooth wrasse?

The Chiseltooth wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Chiseltooth wrasse live?

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

How big does the Chiseltooth wrasse get?

The Chiseltooth wrasse grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Chiseltooth wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Chiseltooth wrasse is harmless to humans.

Is the Chiseltooth wrasse edible?

Yes, the Chiseltooth wrasse is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Beitel-lipvis sourced
English name
Chiseltooth wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Pseudodax moluccanus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Chiseltooth wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Labridae

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