Painted Rainbow Wrasse

Suezichthys arquatus

The Painted Rainbow Wrasse, known scientifically as Suezichthys arquatus, is a small marine fish belonging to the Labridae family. This species is characterized by its distinctive coloration, featuring a head with two slightly oblique blue bands and a body with a mix of red, yellow, and burgundy hues. The dorsal fin is predominantly red with a yellowish base, while the anal fin is a deep burgundy-red. The caudal fin displays a yellow upper part and a red lower part. This wrasse can be distinguished by its elongated, oval-shaped body and specific fin ray counts: nine dorsal spines, 11 dorsal soft rays, three anal spines, and 10 anal soft rays. It reaches a maximum length of 13.5 cm. This species is found in the western Pacific Ocean, with its range extending from Japan to Australia, including New Zealand and the Kermadec Islands. It inhabits subtropical reef environments, typically residing in sand patches at depths ranging from 13 to 100 meters. Most individuals are observed at shallower depths, with 87% found at less than 40 meters. The Painted Rainbow Wrasse is oviparous, engaging in distinct pairing during breeding. Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, this species poses no threat to humans and is considered harmless.