HomeMarine aquarium fishWrassesOrnamented wrasse Ornamented wrasse (Halichoeres ornatissimus) Scientific name: Halichoeres ornatissimus Garrett, 1863 The Ornamented wrasse (Halichoeres ornatissimus) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12. Identified by the red-striped pattern and the two ocelli in the dorsal fin in juveniles and females. Another similar species in Japan that has a spotted tail and lacks the series of white blotches over the back. Juveniles closely resemble juveniles of H. biocellatus, but have a brighter metallic sheen to the rows of light green markings along the head and back.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameHalichoeres ornatissimusFamilyLabridae (Wrasses)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length18.0Depth range4–15 m (13–49 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 4 - 15 mClimateTropicalDistributionPacific Ocean: Cocos and Christmas islands in the eastern Indian Ocean to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to the Great Barrier Reef.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More wrassesNebulous wrasseHalichoeres nebulosusPale-barred corisCoris dorsomaculaCutribbon wrasseStethojulis interruptaThree-lined rainbowfishStethojulis trilineataCircle-cheek wrasseHalichoeres miniatusJordan's tuskfishChoerodon jordaniSee 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