Crimson-banded Wrasse (Notolabrus gymnogenis)

Also known as Crimsonband Parrotfish, Crimsonband Wrasse, Reef Wrasse, Spotted Rainbowfish, White-spotted Rainbowfish

Description

Also known as Crimsonband Parrotfish, Crimsonband Wrasse, Reef Wrasse, Spotted Rainbowfish, White-spotted Rainbowfish.

Found in small harems, over kelp beds of exposed and moderately exposed coral and rocky reefs. They vary in greatly in colour from juvenile to adult, male and female!
They feed on hard shell invertebrates.
Length - 23cm
Depth - 5-40m
Southwest Pacific - Queensland, NSW

Most reef fish seen by divers during the day, are grazers, they cruise around, just above the surface of the coral, or snoop into crevices, foraging for food.
Wrasses have small protruding teeth, which they use to graze the bottom, taking in a variety of algae, crustaceans, such as crabs, eggs, shrimps, snails and worms. 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 crevices. Ref: https://www.fishbase.in/summary/46838

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