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Pinkspeckled Wrasse

Pinkspeckled Wrasse

Xenojulis Margaritaceous

Quick Facts

Scientific name Xenojulis Margaritaceous

Other names Finspot Wrasse, Pearly Rainbowfish, Pearly Weed Wrasse, Pink Speckled Wrasse

Size Up to 10 cm (3.93 in)

Weight Up to 60 g (2.11 oz)

Distribution

Habitat & AU Distribution Coastal waters amongst sandy, rubble & weedy areas near coral reefs

Depth Range 2 - 50 m (164 ft)

Interesting Info

The Pinkspeckled Wrasse is primarily found in Western Australia and is distributed along the coast from the Pilbara region in the north to the South Coast Bioregion in the south.
It has a distinctive pink-speckled pattern on its greenish body, with a white underside and a black spot at the base of the pectoral fin.
This species typically feeds on small crustaceans and other invertebrates.
The Pinkspeckled Wrasse is a diurnal species, meaning it is most active during the daytime and rests at night.
The species is territorial, and males defend their territory against other males and potential predators. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning that some females can transition to become males later in life.
The Pinkspeckled Wrasse is known to form schools with other individuals of the same species or with other small reef fish species.
They re often used as a bioindicator to assess the health of coral reef ecosystems.
The estimated lifespan is up to 10 years in the wild.

Species Interaction

Aquarium & Recreational Fishing

The Pinkspeckled Wrasse is a targeted species for recreational fishing in Australia. The species is popular among recreational anglers due to its striking coloration and fighting ability. Anglers typically catch and release this species as it’s not known as a good-eating fish. They are collected for aquariums; however, it is generally not recommended to keep multiple Pinkspeckled Wrasse in the same tank or with other fish of similar size and temperament.

Species
Sustainability

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Family: Labridae

Genus: Xenojulis

Species: Xenojulis Margaritaceous

Conservation Status

The conservation status of the Pinkspeckled Wrasse is currently listed as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This is due to the species’ wide distribution range and relatively stable populations.