Yellowhead wrasse (Halichoeres garnoti)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Halichoeres garnoti
- Common name
- Yellowhead wrasse
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Labridae
- Genus
- Halichoeres
- Size
- 10–19 cm
- Depth
- 1–80 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- solitary
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Halichoeres garnoti reaches 19 cm. Spectacular terminal male phase: head and front of body vivid yellow, rear of body vivid blue separated by a sharp line. Initial female phase entirely yellow with a fine blue line on the back. Juveniles uniform yellow with a blue line. Protogynous hermaphrodite. Common on Caribbean reefs between 1 and 80 m. Popular photo subject for its sharp yellow-blue contrast.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Yellowhead wrasse?
- Yellowhead wrasse (Halichoeres garnoti) reaches 10–19 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Yellowhead wrasse?
- Yellowhead wrasse is found between 1–80 m deep.
- Is the Yellowhead wrasse dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Yellowhead wrasse?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Yellowhead wrasse?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Halichoeres
- Halichoeres pictus - Rainbow wrasse
- Halichoeres cyanocephalus - Yellowcheek wrasse
- Halichoeres bivittatus - Slippery dick
- Halichoeres radiatus - Puddingwife 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 275764)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2384162)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia