The Wrasses (Labridae): The members of the Labridae or Wrasse Family are known for their brilliant colors and most are cigar shaped. They have protruding canine teeth, large cycloid scales, and eleven or twelve branched caudal rays.

There are approximately 500 species of wrasses known globally but only seventeen in Mexican waters. They are diurnal and opportunistic feeders, benefiting from disturbances cause by the feeding of other fish. Individual species have strikingly different color patterns between juveniles and adults, males and females, and all have the ability to change sex which produces species with great colorations.

Members of the Wrasse Family found in Mexican waters and represented in the fish identification section of this website include: the Banded Wrasse, Halichoeres notospilus; California Sheephead, Semicossyphus pulcher; Chameleon Wrasse, Halichoeres dispiles; Cortez Rainbow Wrasse, Thalassoma lucasanum; Emerald Wrasse, Thalassoma virens; Hogfish, Lachnolaimus maximus; Mexican Hogfish, Bodianus diplotaenia; Spinster Wrasse, Halichoeres nicholsi; and Sunset Wrasse, Thalassoma grammaticum.