Dusky Wrasse

Scientific Name: Halichoeres marginatus
Species: Wrasses (Labridae)
Other names: Sand-reef Wrasses, Saddled Rainbowfish, Speckled Rainbowfish, Orange-tipped Rainbowfish.

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Dusky Wrasse

Uploaded by: @fishx6 in March 2008
Photographed at: Gangehi - Maldives
Caption: No caption available
Liked 1 times (like this too)
View full size / more information

Dusky Wrasse

Uploaded by: @fishx6 in March 2008
Photographed at: Gangehi - Maldives
Caption: No caption available
Liked 0 times (like this too)

Description

Also known as Sand-reef Wrasses, Saddled Rainbowfish, Speckled Rainbowfish and Orange-tipped Rainbowfish.

Found singly or in small groups in shallow surge zones in lagoons, seaward reefs to outer reefs and shipwrecks.
Widespread East Indo-Asian Pacific
Length - 18cm
Depth - 0-30m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

Most reef fish seen by divers during the day are grazers, that cruise around just above the surface of the coral or snoop into crevices looking for algae, worms and small crustaceans.
Wrasses have small protruding teeth and graze the bottom taking in a variety of snails, worms, crabs, shrimps and eggs. Any hard coats or thick shells are then ground down by their pharyngeal jaws and the delicacies inside digested.
From juvenile to adult wrasses dramatically alter their colour and body shapes.
Wrasses are always on the go during the day, but are the first to go to bed and the last to rise.
Small wrasses dive below the sand to sleep and larger wrasses wedge themselves in crevasses.

Spotted

The Dusky Wrasse is found in or near the Indo-Pacific region(s) and has been photographed 2 times by user @fishx6

Related creatures

Many creatures change during their life. Juvenile fish become adults and some change shape or their colour. Some species change sex and others just get older. The following creature(s) are known relatives of the Dusky Wrasse. Click the image(s) to explore further or hover over to get a better view!