HomeMarine aquarium fishWrassesCryptic wrasse Cryptic wrasse (Pteragogus cryptus) Scientific name: Pteragogus cryptus Randall, 1981 The Cryptic wrasse (Pteragogus cryptus) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. Native range: Indo-West Pacific, Red Sea; then from Indonesia to Samoa, north to the Philippines and Micronesia, south to the Great Barrier Reef. BiologyA secretive species occurring on coral reefs where it hides among soft corals and benthic algae. Feeds on benthic invertebrates. Monogamous. Rarely found in the aquarium trade.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific namePteragogus cryptusFamilyLabridae (Wrasses)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length9.5Depth range2–67 m (7–220 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 67 mClimateTropicalDistributionIndo-West Pacific: Red Sea; then from Indonesia to Samoa, north to the Philippines and Micronesia, south to the Great Barrier Reef.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More wrassesFour-lined wrassePseudocheilinus tetrataeniaWhite-spotted wrasseAnampses melanurusEight-lined wrassePseudocheilinus octotaeniaCigar wrasseCheilio inermisSixline wrassePseudocheilinus hexataeniaClown corisCoris aygulaSee all wrasses SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026