Tripletail wrasse (Cheilinus trilobatus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Cheilinus trilobatus
- Common name
- Tripletail wrasse
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Labridae
- Genus
- Cheilinus
- Size
- 25–45 cm
- Depth
- 1–30 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef, seagrass
- Behaviours
- solitary
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Cheilinus trilobatus reaches 45 cm. Oval brown-green to purple body adorned with dark spots and a white median line, characteristic three-lobed tail (hence trilobatus) more pronounced in mature males. Protogynous hermaphrodite. Solitary or in pairs on Indo-Pacific coral reefs and seagrass from 1 to 30 m. Feeds on benthic invertebrates crushed between its jaws. Cousin of the Napoleon wrasse.
Photo of Tripletail wrasse
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Tripletail wrasse?
- Tripletail wrasse (Cheilinus trilobatus) reaches 25–45 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Tripletail wrasse?
- Tripletail wrasse is found between 1–30 m deep.
- Is the Tripletail wrasse dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Tripletail wrasse?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Tripletail wrasse?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Cheilinus
- Cheilinus undulatus - Humphead wrasse
- Cheilinus chlorourus - Green-spotted Wrasse
- Cheilinus fasciatus - Redbreasted Wrasse
Other species in the family Labridae
- Labrus merula - Brown wrasse
- Bodianus rufus - Spanish hogfish
- Bodianus pulchellus - Cuban hogfish
- Halichoeres pictus - Rainbow wrasse
- Halichoeres cyanocephalus - Yellowcheek wrasse
- Sparisoma chrysopterum - Redtail parrotfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 218944)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2383305)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia