Western King Wrasse

Interesting Info

• The Western King Wrasse is a fish species found in the coastal waters of Western Australia, ranging from Shark Bay in the north to Albany in the south.
• They have a distinctive reddish-pink body with white markings along the sides. The head of the Western King Wrasse is typically a different colour from the body, ranging from blue-green to brownish-red.
• The Western King Wrasse is an omnivore, meaning it eats a variety of prey, including small fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and algae.
• They are a diurnal fish, meaning it is active during the day and rests at night.
• Western King Wrasse are sequential hermaphrodites, starting as females and later transforming into males as they grow larger. This process is triggered by social cues, and it allows the species to reproduce successfully.
• Breeding typically occurs during the warmer months between October and April, with males building nests and attracting females to spawn. Females lay their eggs in the male’s nest, and the male then fertilises the eggs and guards them until they hatch.
• Estimated lifespan is up to 30 years.