The checkerboard wrasse

checkerboard wrasse

Scientific name	Halichoeres hortulanus
Descriptor	Lacepède
Year of description	1801
IUCN category (World)	LC
Family	Labridae
Genus	Halichoeres

Introduction

Halichoeres hortulanus, commonly known as checkerboard wrasse, is a salt water fish.

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Who is it?

Morphology

Average size

20 cm
Maximum size

27 cm
Pattern

drawn scales

Average size

20 cm
Maximum size

27 cm
Pattern

drawn scales

How to recognize the checkerboard wrasse ?

The checkerboard wrasse measures between 20 and 27 cm. This fish is multicolore with a predominantly jaune, vert and blanc body. The also has drawn scales.

Behaviour & Life cycle

diet

carnivorous
Sociability

living in a group or alone
territorial

No
Way of living

diurnal

The checkerboard wrasse is a fish living in a group or alone naturally found near the bottom. This species is carnivorous .

Although the checkerboard wrasse is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.

Reproduction

Reproduction

ovipare qui pond en eau libre

The checkerboard wrasse is a fish ovipare qui pond en eau libre.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Origin

Bay of Bengal Persian Gulf Great Barrier Reef mer d'Oman East China Sea Philippine Sea Sea of Japan Red Sea South East Asian Seas Indonesian seas East Indian Ocean western Indian Ocean

islands

Bali Mauritius Réunion Lombok Maldives Nusa Penida

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : LC

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

Temperature

24 - 28 °C
Depth

1 - 30 m

Biotope presentation

The checkerboard wrasse is most often found at a depth between 1m and 30m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.

Species of the same biotope

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Benoit Chartrer

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.