HomeFreshwater aquarium fishOther freshwater fishTripletail wrasse Tripletail wrasse (Cheilinus trilobatus) Scientific name: Cheilinus trilobatus Lacep?de, 1801 The Tripletail wrasse (Cheilinus trilobatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Labridae. Native range: Indo-Pacific, East Africa to the Tuamoto and Austral islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia. BiologyAdults inhabit lagoon and seaward reefs at depths of 1 to over 30 m, and relatively common along shallow reef margins with good coral cover. Usually solitary. Feed mainly on shelled benthic invertebrates such as mollusks and crustaceans, but occasionally take fishes. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding. Difficult to approach. Juveniles secretive on algae reefs and usually around stinging hydrozoans.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameCheilinus trilobatusFamilyLabridae (Wrasses)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length45.0Depth range1–30 m (3–98 ft)EnvironmentMarine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 30 mClimateTropicalDistributionIndo-Pacific: East Africa to the Tuamoto and Austral islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercialResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More other freshwater fishLined soleAchirus lineatusPumpkinseedLepomis gibbosusShort-tailed pipefishMicrophis brachyurus brachyurusSouth American lungfishLepidosiren paradoxaFinescale tigerfishDatnioides microlepisFreshwater garfishXenentodon cancilaSee all other freshwater fish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026