Red-breasted Wrasse (Cheilinus fasciatus)

Also known as Banded Maori, Banded Maori Wrasse, Banded Splendour Wrasse, Maori Wrasse, Rainbowfish, Red-banded Wrasse, Redbreast Maori Wrasse, Redbreast Wrasse, Red-breasted Maori Wrasse, Scarlet-breasted Maori Wrasse, Scarlet-breasted Wrasse, Thicklip Wrasse

Description

Also known as Banded Maori, Banded Maori Wrasse, Banded Splendour Wrasse, Maori Wrasse, Rainbowfish, Red-banded Wrasse, Redbreast Maori Wrasse, Redbreast Wrasse, Red-breasted Maori Wrasse, Scarlet-breasted Maori Wrasse, Scarlet-breasted Wrasse, Thicklip Wrasse.

Found singly over mixed coral, rubble, and sandy areas, of lagoons and seaward reefs.
They feed on hard shell benthic invertebrates.
Length - 40cm
Depth - 4-60m
Widespread Indo Pacific

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.se/summary/5600

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