Yellowhead wrasse
📖 Overview
Commonly found on shallow and deep reefs and exposed rocky ledges. Feeds on various invertebrates. Forms leks during breeding . A protogynous hermaphrodite . Constantly on the move but easily attracted by divers. Generally of no interest to fisheries because of its small average size .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12. Juveniles yellow with silvery blue stripe along side. Super males (terminal males), have black vertical bar behind tip of pectoral fin, merging with broad black area on upper side, continuing to top of caudal peduncle and upper caudal fin. One of the easiest wrasses to identify at all its stages .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Yellowhead wrasse is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Yellowhead wrasse is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Distinct pairing during breeding . Monandric species . Length at sex change = 7.3 cm TL .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 80 m , usually 4 - 60 m . Tropical; 23°C - 27°C ; 35°N - 7°S, 99°W - 36°W
🌿 Ecology
various invertebrates
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Yellowhead wrasse is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked — Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.5 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 171 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Yellowhead wrasse has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Yellowhead Wrasse · redback wrasse |
| 🌍CES | kněžík Garnotův |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Gulhovedet gylte |
| 🇩🇪German | Gelbkopf-Lippfisch |
| 🇫🇷French | Girelle à tête jaune · Labre à tête jaune |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Bodião-de-cabeça-amarela · Gudião-amarelo |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Doncella · Doncella amarilla · Loro dientón amarillo · Lábrido cabeza amarilla · doncella cabeciamarilla |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iridio decoratus | Bean | 1906 | Synonym |
| Julis cinctus | Poey | 1860 | Synonym |
| Julis garnoti | Valenciennes | 1839 | Synonym |
| Julis ruptus | Poey | 1860 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 84 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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