Yellowcheek wrasse (Halichoeres cyanocephalus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Halichoeres cyanocephalus
- Common name
- Yellowcheek wrasse
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Labridae
- Genus
- Halichoeres
- Size
- 15–32 cm
- Depth
- 15–90 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- solitary
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Halichoeres cyanocephalus reaches 32 cm. Largest Caribbean Halichoeres. Spectacular terminal males with yellow-green body with distinctive electric blue head (hence cyanocephalus), black band on flanks. Females more discreet yellow-brown. Protogynous hermaphrodite. Lives from 15 to 90 m on deep coral reefs of Caribbean. Rarer and deeper than cousins. Predator of small invertebrates. Sought-after photo subject at depths of technical diving.
Photo of Yellowcheek wrasse
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Yellowcheek wrasse?
- Yellowcheek wrasse (Halichoeres cyanocephalus) reaches 15–32 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Yellowcheek wrasse?
- Yellowcheek wrasse is found between 15–90 m deep.
- Is the Yellowcheek wrasse dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Yellowcheek wrasse?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Yellowcheek wrasse?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Halichoeres
- Halichoeres pictus - Rainbow wrasse
- Halichoeres bivittatus - Slippery dick
- Halichoeres radiatus - Puddingwife wrasse
- Halichoeres garnoti - Yellowhead wrasse
- Halichoeres hortulanus - Ornate Wrasse
- Halichoeres marginatus - Blackedge Wrasse
Other species in the family Labridae
- Labrus merula - Brown wrasse
- Bodianus rufus - Spanish hogfish
- Bodianus pulchellus - Cuban hogfish
- Sparisoma chrysopterum - Redtail parrotfish
- Sparisoma rubripinne - Yellowtail parrotfish
- Scarus iseri - Striped parrotfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 275760)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2384218)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia