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Soela Wrasse

Soela Wrasse

Suezichthys Soelae

Quick Facts

Scientific name Suezichthys Soelae

Other names Soela Trawl Wrasse

Size Up to 10.3 cm (4.05 in)

Weight Up to .10 kg (.22 lb)

Distribution

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

Depth Range 1 - 20 m (65 ft)

Interesting Info

The Soela Wrasse is a small, colourful fish species that is endemic to Western Australia. It is mainly found in the waters around the Houtman Abrolhos Islands and off the coast of Geraldton.
It has a distinctive appearance, with greenish-blue coloration on its head, back, and dorsal fin, while the rest of its body is white.
Soela Wrasse males and females have different coloration patterns, with males being more colourful and larger in size.
The species prefers shallow reef areas, where it feeds on small invertebrates and fish.
The breeding season for this species occurs during the Australian summer months, from December to February.
Soela Wrasse females lay their eggs in rocky crevices, and the male guards the eggs until they hatch.
It is a slow-growing species, taking up to 3-4 years to reach sexual maturity.
The estimated lifespan is between 5 – 6 years in the wild.

Species Interaction

Aquarium, Snorkeling & Diving

Soela Wrasse can make interesting and attractive aquarium fish, but they require a large and well-maintained tank with plenty of hiding spots and open swimming areas. They can be an interesting species to observe while snorkeling or diving. They are peaceful fish and have a distinctive appearance that makes them easy to identify.

Species
Sustainability

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Family: Labridae

Genus: Suezichthys

Species: Suezichthys Soelae

Conservation Status

The conservation status of Soela Wrasse in Australia is listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This means that, based on current information, the species is not considered to be at significant risk of extinction in the near future.