Wounded Wrasse
Halichoeres chierchiae
Adult
Family: Wrasses (Labridae)
Size: Up to 20 cm (8 in) | Common: 15 cm
Depth: 2 – 35m (6 – 115ft)
Distribution: Eastern Pacific (Gulf of California to Peru & Galapagos).
Identification:
A colorful reef dweller named for a unique marking that looks like an injury.
- The "Wound": Terminal Phase males (like the first picture) have a distinct red and blue blotch on their side, just above the pectoral fin. It looks exactly like a fresh wound, which is how they got their name.
- Sexual Dimorphism: They change sex and color as they grow. Females and juveniles (Initial Phase) are completely different—usually greenish-brown without the "wound" marking.
Behavior:
A busy hunter on the move.
- Movement: Like all wrasses, they swim using their pectoral fins (flapping like wings) rather than their tail. They are constantly on the move, darting around rocks to hunt.
- Feeding: They are carnivorous, using sharp teeth to pick small crabs, shrimp, and mollusks off the reef.
You just learned about this fish...
NOW COME SEE IT!
Behind the Lens
Jalvan
Underwater Photographer & Instructor
Documenting unique marine biodiversity from the Red Sea across the Pacific Ocean. Dedicated to creating a visual catalog of Bahia Solano's marine life for conservation and research.
Video: Osmo Action 5 Pro | GoPro
Follow my work:
REFERENCES & DATA SOURCES
- Scientific ID: Verified via FishBase.
- Field Guide: Reef Fish Identification: Baja to Panama (Humann & DeLoach).
- Regional Data: Ankla Azul Marine Observation Log (Bahia Solano).
More Than Kicking Your Fins
At Ankla Azul, diving is more than kicking your fins. It's patient teaching, sharp safety, and real care for the place we call home. As an SSI Instructor Training Center and an SSI Blue Oceans Center (2025 award), we blend skill-building with ocean awareness—Fish ID, coral nursery work, community education, and rescue support—so every dive grows confidence and respect for Bahía Solano's wild Pacific.