Puddingwife wrasse (Halichoeres radiatus) is a saltwater, brackish species recorded in the United States. It is mainly found over reef, at depths of 2–55 m.
Scientific name: Halichoeres radiatus · Water: Saltwater, Brackish
Size: up to 51 cm
The puddingwife wrasse is a labrid whose adults are found on shallow patch reefs and seaward reefs down to 55 m, while juveniles and subadults occur in shallower coral reefs between 1 and 5 m. It feeds on mollusks, sea urchins, crustaceans and brittle stars, and it is marketed fresh. Maximum length is about 51 cm total length, commonly about 40 cm. It is a minor commercial species, a gamefish and a commercial aquarium fish, with a very high price category. Fishing vulnerability is moderate at 42 of 100 and resilience medium. IUCN lists it as least concern.
Caution: large individuals carry a ciguatera risk. Heat, cold and marinating do not remove the toxin, which concentrates in the liver, roe and head, so avoid eating those parts. Seek medical help if numbness, tingling or a reversed sense of hot and cold follows a meal.
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