Redband Wrasse

Interesting Info

• The Redband Wrasse is a small fish species that can be found along the southern and western coasts of Australia, primarily in Western Australia and South Australia.
• They have a slender body with a pointed snout and a single dorsal fin. The coloration of this species is highly variable and can range from reddish-brown to greenish-blue. The body has two distinct bands of colour, with a reddish-brown band running along the upper part of the body and a bluish-green band along the lower part.
• Juvenile Redband Wrasse have a different coloration compared to adults. They have a bright yellow-orange coloration with a dark spot on the base of the dorsal fin.
• This species is most active during the day and feeds on small crustaceans, molluscs, and other invertebrates.
• Redband Wrasse are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they start out as females and can change into males later in life.
• The spawning season for this species occurs from spring to summer, with females releasing their eggs into the water column and males fertilising them.
• This species has been observed to engage in cleaning behaviour, where they remove parasites and dead skin from other fish species.
• The estimated lifespan is between 7 – 8 years or more in the wild.