Halichoeres garnoti (Valenciennes, 1839)
Yellowhead wrasse
Halichoeres garnoti
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/B. Alenda

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Corinae
Max. size:  19.3 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 80 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Bermuda and southern Florida, USA to southeastern Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 12-12. 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 (Ref. 26938).
Biology:  Commonly found on shallow and deep reefs and exposed rocky ledges. Feeds on various invertebrates. Forms leks during breeding (Ref. 55367). A protogynous hermaphrodite (Ref. 55367). Constantly on the move but easily attracted by divers. Generally of no interest to fisheries because of its small average size (Ref. 5217).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 April 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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