Animal Species:Redbreast Maori Wrasse, Cheilinus fasciatus (Bloch, 1791)

The Redbreast Maori Wrasse can be recognised by its distinctive colouration. The species occurs throughout the tropical Indo-west Pacific.

Redbreast Maori Wrasse at Osprey Reef

Redbreast Maori Wrasse at Osprey Reef
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Alternative Name/s

Banded Maori, Banded Maori-wrasse, Redbreasted Maori Wrasse, Redbreasted Wrasse, Scarlet-breasted Maori Wrasse

Identification

The Redbreast Maori Wrasse can be recognised by its distinctive colouration. The body has six to seven white vertical bars on a red-brown background. The area around the pectoral fin is yellow to orange. The bodies of large males are almost black, with white vertical bars and red colouration on the front of the body and operculum.

It has dorsal and anal fins that are pointed posteriorly.

Size range

The species grows to 36 cm in length.

Distribution

The Redbreast Maori Wrasse occurs throughout the tropical Indo-west Pacific. In Australia it is recorded off north-western Western Australia and on the Great Barrier Reef and offshore islands of 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.

Cheilinus+fasciatus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Redbreast Maori specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Classification

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

What does this mean?

References

  1. 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.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Redbreast Maori Wrasse, Cheilinus fasciatus, Labridae, black, white, grey, orange, red, yellow, 'normal fish', 30 cm - 1 m, stripes or bands, coral reef, marine, adult,