Scribbled Wrasse

Interesting Info

• The Scribbled Wrasse can be found along the eastern and western coastlines of Australia, commonly found on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland and Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia.
• The Scribbled Wrasse, is a colourful fish with a blue or bluish-green body, yellow lines, and intricate black squiggles.
• Like other wrasses, Scribbled Wrasses possess a specialised set of teeth in their throats called pharyngeal teeth. These teeth help them crush hard-shelled prey items, such as small invertebrates, crustaceans and molluscs.
• They are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and rest or sleep at night. During the day, they can be seen foraging for food and interacting with other fish species.
• The coloration and pattern of Scribbled Wrasses serve as a form of protection and communication. The intricate scribbled lines on their bodies help to break up their shape and make them less visible to predators.
• Scribbled Wrasses have a complex social structure. They often form harems consisting of a dominant male and several females. The male defends his territory and mates with the females within his harem.
• Scribbled Wrasses breed by spawning, releasing eggs and sperm into the water column during the breeding season, which typically occurs from spring to early summer. After fertilisation, the eggs hatch into larvae that drift with ocean currents before settling into suitable habitats.
• They have an estimated lifespan between 5 – 7 years.