Pearly Wrasse, Halichoeres margaritaceus (Valenciennes, 1838)

Scientific name: Halichoeres margaritaceus
Alternative name/s:
Pearl-spotted Wrasse, Pink-belly Wrasse, Pinkbelly Wrasse, Reef-flat Wrasse, Saddled Rainbow-fish, Saddled Rainbowfish
Similar species:
It can be distinguished from the similar-looking Cloud Wrasse, by the shape of the band across the cheek. In the Pearly Wrasse the band rises posteriorly, but in the Cloud Wrasse it descends posteriorly.
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    16/04/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Pearly Wrasse, <i>Halichoeres margaritaceus</i> Click to enlarge image
A male Pearly Wrasse, Halichoeres margaritaceus, at a depth of 11m, Anemone Bay, North Solitary Island, New South Wales, 23 June 2011. Image: Ian Shaw
© Ian Shaw

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Halichoeres
    Species
    margaritaceus
    Family
    Labridae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 12.5 cm in length.

Introduction

Colouration of the Pearly Wrasse varies with age. The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Central and Western Pacific.

Identification

The Pearly Wrasse can be recognised by its colouration. Females are brown-green to pinkish above and pale below. They have white blotches on the sides and a pink region on the rear of the abdomen. There is a black spot behind the eye and another on the upper "corner" of the operculum. The middle of the dorsal fin has a yellow or blue-rimmed ocellus. Males are green with orange-red spots. They lack the white and red markings of females.

Distribution

It is known from tropical marine waters of the Central and Western Pacific. In Australia it occurs off north-western Western Australia and from northern Queensland to coastal northern New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  3. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  4. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  5. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  6. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.