Halichoeres claudia, the Christmas wrasse, is a species of wrasse of the family Labridae. It is widely distributed in the southwestern Pacific, occurring from French Polynesia to the Great Barrier Reef, with isolated populations in the Indian Ocean (Christmas Island and Cocos Keeling). This species was treated as Halichoeres ornatissimus for a long time, however, genetic evidence has shown that H. ornatissimus is restricted to Hawaii, while H. claudia is widespread in the western Pacific. The species was named in honor of Claudia Rocha for her contributions to ichthyology.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Claudia's Wrasse being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Halichoeres ornatissimus
- Halichoeres biocellatus
- Halichoeres chrysotaenia
- Halichoeres melanurus
- Koumansetta rainfordi
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Labriformes
- Family
- Labridae
- Genus
- Halichoeres
- Species
- Halichoeres claudia
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