Puddingwife wrasse (Halichoeres radiatus)

Scientific name: Halichoeres radiatus Linnaeus, 1758

The Puddingwife wrasse (Halichoeres radiatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Labridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 23–27°C (73–81°F). Native range: Western Atlantic, Bermuda and North Carolina, USA to the Gulf of Mexico and oceanic islands of Brazil. Throughout the West Indies.

Puddingwife wrasse care at a glance

Temperature: 23–27°C (73–81°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12. Two pairs of enlarged canines in lower jaw; anterior lateral line scales with 3 or more pores per scale; body depth 2.7-3.6 in SL; distinctive 4 or 5 narrow pale bars along the dorsum, more evident in specimens up to 20 cm SL; yellow margin on caudal fin.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Halichoeres radiatus
Family: Labridae (Wrasses)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 51.0
Common length: 40.0
Depth range: 2–55 m (7–180 ft)
Environment: Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 55 m, usually 5 - 45 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Western Atlantic: Bermuda and North Carolina, USA to the Gulf of Mexico and oceanic islands of Brazil. Throughout the West Indies.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Reports of ciguatera poisoning
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)