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Spinster Wrasse
Vieja Soltera
(Halichoeres nicholsi)
Spinster Wrasse, Halichoeres nicholsi: The Spinster Wrasse is characterized by the broad diffuse black stripe that extends below the fourth and seventh dorsal spines to at least the middle of the side, and by its overall wrasse-like appearance.
It is fairly similar to the Cortez Grunt, with pearly-blue spots on each body scale, but the Spinster Wrasse has a different tail and dorsal fins.
The Spinster Wrasse is one of the more difficult wrasses to identify, because the juveniles undergo a major color transition as they mature.
The Spinster Wrasse is solitary and feeds on brittle stars, crabs, mollusks, and sea urchins.
The Spinster Wrasse has been reported to reach a length of 15 inches and about 1 pound in weight. It is normally found along rocky shores in the surge zone within the first 50 feet of the water column.
The Spinster Wrasse is a member of the Labridae or Wrasse Family.
Distribution in Mexico fishing areas
In Mexican fishing waters , the Spinster Wrasse is not found on the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula, but is present in all waters of the Sea of Cortez, along the coast of mainland Mexico and around all oceanic islands.
The Spinster Wrasse is too rare to be of great interest to anyone except fish species observers.
Spinster Wrasse, Halichoeres nicholsi: Caught by the commercial fisherman of the greater Los Cabos area of Baja California Sur, Mexico, during fishing in March 2010. Noteworthy is the transformation of the body shape from a cigar to a brick. Size 13.3 inches. Photo courtesy of John Snow.
Spinster Wrasse, Halichoeres nicholsi: Initial phase (female). Caught while fishing from shore in January 2008 on cut squid at Km. 21, Cabo Real, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Size, 23.2 cm. Identification courtesy of H.J. Walker, Jr., Scripps Institute of Oceanography, La Jolla, Calif. In this phase very similar to the Banded Wrasse, Halichoeres notospilus, with the identification confirmed by the presence of a canine tooth at the corner of the mouth which is absent in the Banded Wrasse. Description and photos courtesy of John Snow.
Spinster Wrasse, Halichoeres nicholsi: Caught from shore in the last hour of daylight in November 2003, in 84-degree water, in “the suds,” approximately 5 yards from shore, utilizing 15-pound test line, with a fish finder rig, main line, 1-ounce barrel sinker, swivel, two feet of main line, and size #4 Mustad 92553 hook, on cut squid, at Km. 16, Twin Dolphins, between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Size approximately 9 inches and 1 pound. A very strong fight for the size. Description and photo courtesy John Snow. Fish identification courtesy of Dr. Ross Robertson, The Smithsonian Institute, Panama.
Spinster Wrasse, Halichoeres nicholsi: Caught during a fishing trip on the panga Salome in the middle of the day, in August 2004, at Punta Gorda, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, on cut squid. Description and photo courtesy John Snow.
Spinster Wrasse, Halichoeres nicholsi: Caught during James McGuire's beach fishing session near Puertecitos south of San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico, April 2008. Photo courtesy of James McGuire.
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