Blue and Yellow Wrasse

Interesting Info

• The Blue and Yellow Wrasse is a colourful species of wrasse found in the coastal waters of Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland, particularly on the Ningaloo and Great Barrier Reefs.
• They are renowned for their vibrant and striking coloration. Adult males display a vibrant blue colour on their head and upper body, transitioning to a bright yellow towards the tail. Females and juveniles, on the other hand, exhibit a more subdued coloration, with a pale blue-green hue and yellowish undertones.
• Blue and Yellow Wrasse are carnivorous fish, their diet consists of small invertebrates, including crustaceans, molluscs, and small fish. They use their specialised teeth and jaws to feed on prey items found within the coral reef ecosystem.
• During the night, Blue and Yellow Wrasse seek shelter within crevices or coral heads, where they rest and remain hidden from potential nocturnal predators.
• Breeding season for this species generally occurs during the warmer months, from spring to early summer, which aligns with the reproductive patterns of other wrasse species.
• During the breeding season, male Blue and Yellow Wrasse undergo remarkable colour changes. Their heads and upper bodies transition to a vibrant blue, while the lower body and tail turn bright yellow.
• They are a sequential hermaphrodite, meaning it changes sex during its lifetime. It starts as a female and can transition to become a male if the dominant male in its social group dies or disappears.
• They are a long lived wrasse with an estimated lifespan up to 10 years.