HomeMarine aquarium fishWrassesRainbow wrasse Rainbow wrasse (Halichoeres pictus) Scientific name: Halichoeres pictus Poey, 1860 The Rainbow wrasse (Halichoeres pictus) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. Native range: Western Atlantic, southern Florida, USA and Bahamas to northern South America. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12. The common color phase is white or yellow with two yellowish brown stripes, one along back next to base of dorsal fin and one on upper side which extends through eye to end of snout. Large adult males are blue-green to yellowish green on the upper half of body and pale blue on lower half; blue stripes on head; a large black spot at caudal base.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameHalichoeres pictusFamilyLabridae (Wrasses)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length13.0Depth range5–25 m (16–82 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 5 - 25 mClimateTropicalDistributionWestern Atlantic: southern Florida, USA and Bahamas to northern South America.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More wrassesClown wrasseHalichoeres maculipinnaBlackear wrasseHalichoeres poeyiYellowhead wrasseHalichoeres garnotiRock wrasseHalichoeres semicinctusYellowcheek wrasseHalichoeres cyanocephalusRosy razorfishXyrichtys martinicensisSee 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