Animal Species:Fiveband Wrasse, Hemigymnus fasciatus (Bloch, 1792)

The Fiveband Wrasse is a tropical marine fish that can be found in areas of sand, rubble and coral.

Fiveband Wrasse at Ribbon Reef

Fiveband Wrasse at Ribbon Reef
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Alternative Name/s

Banded Thicklip, Barred Thicklip, Barred Wrasse, Five-banded Wrasse

Identification

Adult Fiveband Wrasse have a darkish body with four narrow white bars on the sides. The head is yellow-green with irregular pink lines. The caudal fin is either yellow or black.

Juveniles look similar to adults, but have a dark head, and the white bars are narrower. The caudal fin is dark.

Size range

The species grows to 80 cm in length.

Distribution

The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea, throughout South-east Asia and Micronesia, north to Japan, south to Australia and east to the Ducie Islands.

In Australia it is known from the north-western coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country to the southern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

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.

Hemigymnus fasciatus</

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Fiveband Wrasse specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

Fiveband Wrasse inhabit areas of sand, rubble and coral. It is found in depths from 1 m to 40 m. Juveniles are more commonly found among branching corals.

Feeding and Diet

Adult Fiveband Wrasse feed on benthic invertebrates, crustaceans, polychaetes, brittle stars, sea urchins and molluscs. Juveniles feed mainly on planktonic crustaceans.

Classification

Species:
fasciatus
Genus:
Hemigymnus
Family:
Labridae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 469.
  3. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
  4. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 251.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Fiveband Wrasse, Hemigymnus fasciatus, Labridae, green, blue, yellow, black, white, pink, purple, red, 'normal fish', 30 cm - 1 m, stripes or bands, coral reef, rocky reef, marine, adult, large eyes,