Fivefinger wrasse (Xyrichtys pentadactylus)

Scientific name: Xyrichtys pentadactylus Linnaeus, 1758

The Fivefinger wrasse (Xyrichtys pentadactylus) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. Native range: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea and East Africa to the western Pacific.

Biology

Found over sandy bottoms of coastal areas and also in areas with some seagrass or algae. Ranges to a depth of over 18 m. Usually in large spread-out groups on upper slopes of sand and mud banks with males defending its section that has numerous females. When threatened, it dives head-first into sand; may take some time to emerge again. Feeds mainly on hard-shelled prey, including mollusks and crustaceans

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Xyrichtys pentadactylus
Family
Labridae (Wrasses)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
25.0
Depth range
2–18 m (7–59 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 18 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the western Pacific.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated