Blackspotted Wrasse

Interesting Info

• The Blackspotted Wrasse is distributed along the southern coast of Australia, from southern Queensland to Western Australia, including sightings in Tasmania. It prefers rocky reef environments with abundant hiding places and crevices.
• They have a distinctive appearance. It features a slender, elongated body with a pointed snout and large, round eyes. The body coloration is primarily reddish-brown with dark black spots covering the entire body, hence its common name.
• The Blackspotted Wrasse feeds primarily on small invertebrates such as crustaceans, worms, and molluscs. They use their protractile mouth to extract prey from crevices and cracks in the reef.
• They are known for their agile swimming and manoeuvrability, making them adept at navigating through complex reef structures and chasing prey in small crevices.
• The males of this species can undergo dramatic colour changes during breeding season. They develop a bright blue head and fins, contrasting with the reddish-brown body, as a courtship display to attract females.
• Breeding season for Blackspotted Wrasse typically occurs during the warmer months, from spring to summer (September to February), when water temperatures rise and conditions are more favourable for reproduction.
• Male Blackspotted Wrasse are highly territorial during breeding season, establishing and defending their own small territories where they court females and spawn with multiple partners.
• Their estimated average lifespan is between 5 – 7 years and up to 10 years.