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Wrasse

Vibrant Wrasse

Wrasses belong to the family Labridae, which includes over 600 species across 82 genera. Some well-known wrasse species include:

  • Humphead Wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus)
  • Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus)
  • Bird Wrasse (Gomphosus varius)
  • Rainbow Wrasse (Thalassoma lunare)

Types of Wrasse:

Wrasses come in various sizes, colors, and ecological roles. Some notable types include:

  1. Large Wrasses – e.g., Humphead (Napoleon) Wrasse, which can grow over 2 meters.
  2. Cleaner Wrasses – Help remove parasites from other fish.
  3. Rock & Coral Wrasses – Often found hiding in reefs or sandy areas.
  4. Sand-Burying Wrasses – Species that sleep by burying themselves in the sand for protection.

Habitat:

  • Found in tropical and temperate oceans worldwide.
  • Primarily reef-associated, living in coral reefs, rocky coastlines, and seagrass beds.
  • Some species prefer shallow lagoons, while others venture into deeper waters up to 100 meters.

Diet:

  • Carnivorous or Omnivorous, depending on species.
  • Eat small crustaceans, mollusks, worms, and fish.
  • Some wrasses, like the Humphead Wrasse, consume toxic species like crown-of-thorns starfish.
  • Cleaner Wrasses feed on parasites and dead skin from other fish.

Lifespan:

  • 5 to 30 years, depending on species.
  • Larger species like the Humphead Wrasse can live up to 50 years.

Sexual Differences (Sexual Dimorphism & Sequential Hermaphroditism):

  • Many wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start life as females and later transform into males.
  • Males tend to be larger and more brightly colored than females.
  • Some wrasses form harems, where one dominant male controls a group of females.

How to Spot a Wrasse:

  • Brightly colored, elongated, and streamlined bodies.
  • Prominent, thick lips and pointed snouts for foraging.
  • Some species, like the Humphead Wrasse, have distinctive bulging foreheads.
  • Cleaner Wrasses can be seen darting around cleaning stations, picking parasites off larger fish.
  • Often swim in a distinctive undulating motion.

Countries Where Wrasses Are Found:

  • Australia (Great Barrier Reef)
  • Indonesia
  • Philippines
  • Hawaii & Pacific Islands
  • Japan
  • Maldives
  • Egypt (Red Sea)
  • Seychelles & Madagascar
  • Caribbean (for temperate wrasses like the Bluehead Wrasse, Thalassoma bifasciatum)