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Severns' pencil wrasse (Pseudojuloides severnsi) — Labridae

Severns' pencil wrasse

Pseudojuloides severnsi
Family: Labridae

The Severns' pencil wrasse (Pseudojuloides severnsi) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
12–40 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Maldives, New Caledonia and others

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Description

The Severns' pencil wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from shallow coral-reef and rocky water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, elongate, brightly coloured body with a pointed head. As an active daytime hunter it swims just above the reef and snaps at small crustaceans, snails and worms. It often starts as a female and can later change into a male. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Severns' pencil wrasse?

The Severns' pencil wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly multicoloured.

Where does the Severns' pencil wrasse live?

The Severns' pencil wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Maldives, New Caledonia and others

How big does the Severns' pencil wrasse get?

The Severns' pencil wrasse grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Severns' pencil wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Severns' pencil wrasse is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Severns' pencil wrasse (Pseudojuloides severnsi) — Labridae — 2
Australian National Fish Collection, CSIRO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Severns' pencil wrasse (Pseudojuloides severnsi) — Labridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Ben Costamagna, some rights reserved (CC BY))

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All data

Identification

English name
Severns' pencil wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Pseudojuloides severnsi
Family
Labridae
Other names
Severns' wrasse sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.1 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured sourced
Tail shape
Straight

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
12 verified
Max depth (m)
40 verified
Natural range
Asia: Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Maldives, New Caledonia and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pseudojuloides

More from the family Labridae

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