About Halichoeres radiatus (Linnaeus, 1758)
The puddingwife wrasse, scientifically named Halichoeres radiatus, is a species of wrasse that is native to the western Atlantic Ocean. Its distribution ranges from North Carolina to Bermuda, extends through the West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico, and reaches the offshore islands of Brazil; it is not found in the coastal waters of Brazil. This species occurs on reefs at depths between 2 meters (6.6 feet) and 55 meters (180.4 feet). Young fish up to the subadult stage live in much shallower waters, ranging from 1 meter (3.3 feet) to 5 meters (16.4 feet) deep. The puddingwife wrasse can grow to a total length of 51 centimeters (20 inches), though most individuals do not grow longer than 40 centimeters (16 inches). This species has minor importance for local commercial fisheries, and it is also available in the aquarium trade.
