Quick Facts
Distribution
Interesting Info
- The Peacock Wrasse is found in the waters around northern Australia, particularly in Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory, and Western Australia.
- They are a colourful fish with a bright red/orange body, with a green and blue face and fins, and yellow stripes. The males typically have more colours than the female.
- Peacock Wrasse are known to feed on small invertebrates and crustaceans, and are an important part of the coral reef ecosystem.
- They are commonly found in and prefer areas with strong currents.
- The Peacock Wrasse has a unique swimming pattern, where it undulates its dorsal and anal fins in a continuous motion as it moves through the water.
- The Peacock Wrasse is a non-migratory species, meaning it stays in one area for most of its life.
- They are a slow-growing fish and takes several years to reach maturity.
- During breeding season, males will display their colourful fins and perform courtship rituals to attract females. They are broadcast spawners, which means they release eggs and sperm into the water, allowing fertilisation to occur externally.
- Estimated lifespan is up to 10 years.
Species Interaction
Aquarium, Snorkeling & Diving
Peacock Wrasse are generally shy and reclusive, and they spend most of their time hiding in rock crevices and caves. This can make them hard to spot for snorkelers and divers. They are popular in aquariums as they are colourful and have unique swimming pattern, where they undulate their dorsal and anal fins in a continuous motion as they move through the water.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Labridae
Genus: Cirrhilabrus
Species: Cirrhilabrus Temmincki
Conservation Status
The conservation status of the Peacock Wrasse in Australia is currently classified as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Peacock Wrasse
As Aquarium Fish
Care Level: Moderate to difficult
Temperament: Shy
Diet: Carnivore
Reef Compatible: Yes
Minimum Tank Size: 80 gallons
Recreational Viewing
- Snorkeling & Scuba
Finding: Difficult
Temperament: Shy
Location: Inner Reef, Outer Reef, Lagoon
Danger: None