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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Tail-spot wrasse

Halichoeres melanurus Bleeker, 1851
Hoeven's Wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus)
Hoeven's Wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus)
Max Length
14 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
Trophic Level
2.9
Depth
1–15 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
21.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Found mostly on shallow coral reefs and rocky shores . Found solitary or in small groups on sheltered reefs over 15 m depth . Feed on small invertebrates such as polychaetes, copepods, isopods and forams .

Scientific Name
Halichoeres melanurus
Authority
Bleeker, 1851
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
14 cm
Depth Range
1–15 m
Latitude
30°S – 32°N
Trophic Level
2.9
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
21.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11 - 12; Vertebrae: 25. Stripes on male body blue-green and orangish in life, becoming salmon pink and green anteriorly; a dark spot behind eye contained within a brown band that bifurcates posteriorly. Females with a small black spot on 1st interspinous membrane of dorsal fin, another between 2nd-3rd soft rays; a spot at the upper base of caudal fin. Anterior lateral line scales with 1-4 pores (usually 2). Pelvic fins of males reaching to or beyond the anus.: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Tail-spot wrasse is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Tail-spot wrasse is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Distinct pairing during breeding .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 15 m . Tropical; 32°N - 30°S, 91°E - 170°W north to Japan; south to Australia.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
2.9±0.2
🧍 Solitary
Food Items

small invertebrates such as polychaetes, copepods, isopods and forams (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01318 × L3.19 (TL)
Max TL
14cm
Dorsal Spines
9
Dorsal Rays
12
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
12
Vertebrae
25

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2008

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
21.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2.9
Omnivore / Planktivore
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
32°N – 30°S
Described By
Bleeker, 1851

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Tail-spot wrasse is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked — Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18.3 g
Omega-3 (total) 142 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Tail-spot wrasse has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English duskytailed rainbowfish · Hoeven's wrasse · Pinstriped wrasse · Tail-spot wrasse · Tailspot Wrasse · Three-eyed wrasse · Yellow-tailed wrasse
🌍CES kněžík modrohubý
🇩🇪German Hoebens Junker
🌍FIJ drividrivi
🇫🇷French Labre à fines rayures · Labre à queue noire
🇮🇹Italian Labro coda nera
🇯🇵Japanese Kazari-kyûsen · Kazarikyusen · カザリキュウセン
🌍MAH Alle
🌍MSA Koja
🇵🇹Portuguese Bodião-de-axila-amarela
🌍SMO Sugale
🇪🇸Spanish Lábrido de Hoeven
🌍TGL Bunak · Mameng
🇨🇳Chinese 柳冷仔 · 黑尾儒艮鯛 · 黑尾海豬魚

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Halichoeres chrysotaenia Bleeker 1853 Synonym
Halichoeres hoeveni Bleeker 1851 Synonym
Julis chrysotaenia Bleeker 1853 Synonym
Julis hoevenii Bleeker 1851 Synonym
Julis melanurus Bleeker 1851 Synonym
Platyglossus floscorallis Jordan & Seale 1906 Synonym
Platyglossus melanurus Bleeker 1851 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 37 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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