Canary wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus)

Scientific name: Halichoeres chrysus Randall, 1981

The Canary wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–27°C (75–81°F).

Canary wrasse care at a glance

Temperature: 24–27°C (75–81°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11 - 12; Vertebrae: 25. In life, body bright yellow, head and thorax yellow-orange; a spot behind eye; head with irregular light-green bands. Dorsal fin of males with a large black, white-rimmed spot at the first interspinous membrane (another spot may appear on the soft portion between 2nd and 3rd rays for smaller males); females with a second black, light yellow-rimmed spot; smaller females and juveniles with a third blackish spot on penultimate membrane. Anterior lateral line scales with 2-4 pores; 6-12 suborbital pores. Pelvic fins not reaching anus.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Halichoeres chrysus
Family: Labridae (Wrasses)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 12.0
Depth range: 2–60 m (7–197 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 60 m, usually 15 - 60 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Eastern Indian Ocean: Christmas Island. Western Pacific: Solomon Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Rowley Shoals and New South Wales (Australia). Recently reported from Tonga. Replaced by Halichoeres leucoxanthus in the Indian Ocean, but with overlapping distributions in Indonesia.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)