Cockerel Wrasse

Interesting Info

• The Cockerel Wrasse is commonly found in the waters around Australia, especially along the eastern and western coasts.
• They are a colourful fish that is easily recognisable by its reddish body and distinctive markings. Adult males typically have a bright blue and green coloration on their head, fins, and upper body, with a reddish-orange colour on their lower body and belly. The blue and green coloration can be particularly vivid, especially when the male is displaying or defending its territory.
• Cockerel Wrasse have been observed engaging in a unique feeding behaviour known as “suction feeding,” where they use their specialised jaw muscles to create a vacuum that pulls in small prey items.
• They feed primarily on small invertebrates such as crustaceans and molluscs.
• The species is known to be a host for several parasites, including various species of copepods and flatworms.
• Cockerel Wrasse are known to form spawning aggregations, where males and females come together to spawn. Spawning typically occurs during the summer months, although the exact timing can vary depending on the location and environmental conditions.
• The estimated lifespan is between 5 – 8 years in the wild.