Bluetail Wrasse

Interesting Info

• Bluetail Wrasse are found along the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef, from the northernmost parts of Queensland to the southern regions of the reef and down in to parts of northern New South Wales.
• Bluetail Wrasse exhibit distinct sexual dimorphism. Males are brightly coloured, with a vibrant blue body, yellow head, and black markings on the dorsal and anal fins. Females, on the other hand, have a duller appearance with a Gray-brown body and a yellow tail.
• Bluetail Wrasse are known to engage in cooperative hunting behaviour. They form small groups, often consisting of one male and multiple females, to search for food together. This social behaviour increases their hunting success and provides additional protection against predators.
• They are carnivores and their diet primarily consists of small invertebrates, including crustaceans, molluscs, and worms. They use their protractile jaws to snatch prey from crevices and gaps in the reef.
• Like many other reef fish, Bluetail Wrasse have the ability to rapidly change their coloration. They can adjust their hues and patterns to match their surroundings, aiding in camouflage and protection from predators.
• During the breeding season, which occurs from late spring to early summer, males undergo a fascinating transformation called protogynous hermaphroditism. Initially, they are born as females and later transition into males. This change is triggered by social cues and the absence of dominant males in a given area.
• Bluetail Wrasse breed through external fertilisation, where females release eggs into the water column, and dominant males simultaneously release sperm to fertilise the eggs.
• They have an estimated lifespan between 5 – 8 years.