Ornate Wrasse (Halichoeres hortulanus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Halichoeres hortulanus
- Common name
- Ornate Wrasse
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Labridae
- Genus
- Halichoeres
- Size
- 12–18 cm
- Depth
- 3–50 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, sandy-bottom
- Behaviours
- benthic, fast-swimmer, diurnal
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Halichoeres hortulanus reaches 12-18 cm. Vivid green-blue body with red-orange spots on flanks and head. Active digger. Indo-Pacific at 3-50 m. Characteristic jerky rapid swimming. Very mobile and difficult to photograph. Predator of small crustaceans and invertebrates. Very common on healthy reefs.
Photo of Ornate Wrasse
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Ornate Wrasse?
- Ornate Wrasse (Halichoeres hortulanus) reaches 12–18 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Ornate Wrasse?
- Ornate Wrasse is found between 3–50 m deep.
- Is the Ornate Wrasse dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Ornate Wrasse?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Ornate Wrasse?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Halichoeres
- Halichoeres pictus - Rainbow wrasse
- Halichoeres cyanocephalus - Yellowcheek wrasse
- Halichoeres bivittatus - Slippery dick
- Halichoeres radiatus - Puddingwife wrasse
- Halichoeres garnoti - Yellowhead 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 218985)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2384141)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia