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Asian sheepshead wrasse (Semicossyphus reticulatus) — Labridae

Asian sheepshead wrasse

Semicossyphus reticulatus
Family: Labridae

The Asian sheepshead wrasse (Semicossyphus reticulatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Asian sheepshead wrasse is a large wrasse (Labridae) from temperate reef waters of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 1 metre and has a sturdy, red-grey body; adults develop a strikingly bulbous forehead and a protruding chin. As a bottom-oriented predator it crushes molluscs, crustaceans and sea urchins with strong jaws and throat teeth. Like many wrasses it can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Asian sheepshead wrasse?

The Asian sheepshead wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Asian sheepshead wrasse live?

The Asian sheepshead wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Asian sheepshead wrasse get?

The Asian sheepshead wrasse grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Asian sheepshead wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Asian sheepshead wrasse is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Aziatische knobbelkoplipvis sourced
English name
Asian sheepshead wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Semicossyphus reticulatus
Family
Labridae

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
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

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Semicossyphus

More from the family Labridae

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