Yellowcheek wrasse (Halichoeres cyanocephalus) is a saltwater species recorded in the United States. It is mainly found over reef, at depths of 18–91 m.
Scientific name: Halichoeres cyanocephalus · Water: Saltwater
Size: up to 30 cm
The yellowcheek wrasse is a labrid found over hard substrates from 18 to 91 m. Juveniles up to 8 cm act as specialised cleaners, each individual tending a defined cleaning station sought by several species of reef fishes including damselfishes, goatfishes and surgeonfishes, and at the station this wrasse swims in a characteristic seesaw motion. It is occasionally caught by anglers but is generally of no interest to fisheries because of its small average size. Maximum length is about 30 cm total length. It is a commercial species, a gamefish and a commercial aquarium fish, with a very high price category. Fishing vulnerability is low to moderate at 33 of 100 and resilience medium. IUCN lists it as least concern.
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