Jewelled wrasse (Halichoeres lapillus)

Scientific name: Halichoeres lapillus Smith, 1947

The Jewelled wrasse (Halichoeres lapillus) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. Native range: Western Indian Ocean, southern Mozambique and Natal, South Africa; also Reunion, Mauritius and Madagascar.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Halichoeres lapillus
Family: Labridae (Wrasses)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 14.0
Depth range: 5–15 m (16–49 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 5 - 15 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Indian Ocean: southern Mozambique and Natal, South Africa; also Reunion, Mauritius and Madagascar.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (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 27 September 2026