Little Rainbow Wrasse

Interesting Info

• The Little Rainbow Wrasse, also known as Dotalabrus alleni, is a species of wrasse fish that is native to the coastal waters of central and southern Western Australia.
• They are easily recognisable by their colourful appearance, with males featuring a greenish-blue head and a pinkish-red body with a blue stripe along the side. Females, on the other hand, have a more subdued coloration, with a brownish-red body and a white underside.
• These fish are opportunistic feeders, feeding on a variety of small fish, crustaceans, and other small invertebrates.
• These fish are known to be social, forming schools or small groups in the wild. They will often interact with other species of fish, including larger predators such as sharks and rays.
• The Little Rainbow Wrasse is a diurnal species, meaning that it is most active during the day and rests at night.
• They breed during the warmer months, typically from September to March. Where the male Little Rainbow Wrasses build nests on the seafloor to attract females during breeding season and court them with colourful displays before fertilising and defending the eggs.
• The eggs hatch within a few days and the fry emerge as larvae that will float in the water column before settling on the seafloor.
• Estimated lifespan is up to 10 years.