Fin's Fish Guide
The Señorita (Oxyjulis californica) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 25 cm.
Description
The señorita is a slender wrasse (Labridae) from the eastern Pacific, from California to Baja California. The species reaches about 25 cm, has a cigar-shaped, brown-orange body with a dark blotch near the tail and lives in kelp forests and over rocks. The fish often forms small groups that hover well off the bottom and is a well-known cleaner that picks parasites from other fishes. At night it sleeps buried in sand with its head protruding. Unlike many wrasses the señorita undergoes no sex reversal; it is a pelagic spawner and is mainly used as bait.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Señorita?
The Señorita has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Cleaner fish without sex reversal (unusual for wrasses); sleeps buried in the sand at night.
Where does the Señorita live?
The Señorita lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Eastern Pacific, from California to Baja California.
How big does the Señorita get?
The Señorita grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 16 cm.
Is the Señorita dangerous to humans?
No, the Señorita is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Señorita edible?
The Señorita is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Labridae
Want the complete picture on the Señorita?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Señorita is one of 12,519 species in the app.
Or scan with your phone