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Twospot wrasse (Pseudocheilinus dispilus) — Labridae

Twospot wrasse

Pseudocheilinus dispilus
Family: Labridae

The Twospot wrasse (Pseudocheilinus dispilus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15–37 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Mauritius, Reunion I.

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Description

The twospot wrasse is a small, secretive wrasse (Labridae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a red-brown body with fine pale lines and two dark spots on the back. As a reef-dweller it moves about hidden among coral branches and rubble of shallow reefs and picks small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Twospot wrasse?

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

Where does the Twospot wrasse live?

The Twospot wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Mauritius, Reunion I.

How big does the Twospot wrasse get?

The Twospot wrasse grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Twospot wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Twospot 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

Twospot wrasse (Pseudocheilinus dispilus) — Labridae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Twospot wrasse (Pseudocheilinus dispilus) — Labridae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Twospot wrasse (Pseudocheilinus dispilus) — Labridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) François Libert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Twospot wrasse (Pseudocheilinus dispilus) — Labridae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — zsispeo (CC BY-SA 2.0)

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All data

Identification

English name
Twospot wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Pseudocheilinus dispilus
Family
Labridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.8 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
15 verified
Max depth (m)
37 verified
Natural range
Africa: Mauritius, Reunion I. sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes
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 Pseudocheilinus

More from the family Labridae

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