Puddingwife wrasse (Halichoeres radiatus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Halichoeres radiatus
- Common name
- Puddingwife wrasse
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Labridae
- Genus
- Halichoeres
- Size
- 20–51 cm
- Depth
- 2–55 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- solitary
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Halichoeres radiatus reaches 51 cm, the largest Caribbean Halichoeres. Spectacular terminal male phase: emerald green-blue body, head with sinuous pink patterns, characteristic black spot on the flank behind the pectoral. Protogynous hermaphrodite. Lives alone on Caribbean reefs between 2 and 55 m. Feeds on benthic invertebrates. Appreciated photo subject for its male-phase colors.
Photo of Puddingwife wrasse
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Puddingwife wrasse?
- Puddingwife wrasse (Halichoeres radiatus) reaches 20–51 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Puddingwife wrasse?
- Puddingwife wrasse is found between 2–55 m deep.
- Is the Puddingwife wrasse dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Puddingwife wrasse?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Puddingwife 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 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 275793)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2384111)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia