Ladder Wrasse

Interesting Info

• The Ladder Wrasse is widespread across the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Indonesia, northern Australia, and the central Pacific.
• In Australia, it is found mainly on northern reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, and Western Australia’s offshore reefs.
• Its name comes from the ladder-like stripes running along its sides: dark green or black crossbars over a bright green to bluish body.
• The head is decorated with curved blue and pink lines, giving it a painted look that stands out on coral reefs.
• Males are more vivid than females and display their brightest colours during breeding.
• Like many wrasses, it is a sequential hermaphrodite: most start as females, and some change to males as they grow larger and take control of territories.
• Ladder Wrasses are diurnal foragers, feeding on small invertebrates like crabs, shrimp, molluscs, worms, and urchins, often prying them from coral rubble and sand.
• They are fast, darting swimmers and often seen in loose groups patrolling reef crests and shallow slopes.
• Divers and snorkellers often notice them because of their active behaviour and bold colours, which make them one of the more conspicuous wrasses on the reef.
• Breeding occurs in harems, where one dominant male spawns with multiple females. Pairs rise into the water column to release eggs and sperm, which drift with currents.
• Eggs hatch into tiny larvae that spend several weeks in open water before settling on reefs as juveniles.
• The lifespan is around 5–7 years, which is typical of medium-sized wrasses.