puddingwife wrasse
Halichoeres radiatus
Wrasse of shallow reefs, with narrow pale stripes on the back and a yellow tail edge. It is a sport fish and shows up in reef fishing.
Also called: bindalo, doncella pudín, puddingwife wrasse
- maximum
- 51 cm
- depth
- 5–45 m
who is the puddingwife wrasse
Wrasse of the family Labridae, reaching 51 cm. It occurs in the western Atlantic, from Bermuda and North Carolina to the Caribbean, and in Brazil only at the oceanic islands of São Pedro and São Paulo, Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas. It lives on shallow reefs and reefs facing the open sea, usually at 5 to 45 m deep. Juveniles and subadults stay on the shallower reefs, from 1 to 5 m. It feeds on mollusks, sea urchins, crustaceans and brittle stars (ophiuroids). In fishing, it is a sport fish and has minor commercial use.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the puddingwife wrasse; in the meantime, see the similar species.
identification
It has two pairs of large canine teeth on the lower jaw. The body has four or five narrow pale stripes on the back, more visible in specimens up to 20 cm. The edge of the tail is yellow. The pale stripes on the back are the most useful sign for identifying the species.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
Western Atlantic, from Bermuda and North Carolina to the Caribbean. In Brazil it is known only from the oceanic islands of São Pedro and São Paulo, Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas; records from the Brazilian coast usually refer to the other species, Halichoeres brasiliensis.
Habitat: Shallow and open-sea reefs, usually 5 to 45 m deep.
coast
rules for the puddingwife wrasse
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
No dangerous spines or venom. The canine teeth of the jaw can hurt; handle with care.
in the kitchen
It is sold fresh. There are reports of ciguatera in this species, so avoid eating specimens of doubtful origin.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00977, b = 3.08; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa pelo gênero e formato do corpo)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Halichoeres radiatus (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Halichoeres radiatusNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
