WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Pastel Ring Wrasse

Hologymnosus doliatus

Also known as: Candy Cane Wrasse, Candycane, Longface Wrasse, Narrow-banded Wrasse, Pastel Slender Wrasse, Rainbowfish, Red-lined Slender Wrasse, Ringed Rainbowfish, Ringed Wrasse, Sand Wrasses, Candycane Wrasse, Sand Wrasse

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2010
Adult
@WhatsTheSnorkellingLike · Pulau Weh, Indonesia · April 20151 / 1
01

Overview

Found singly, high above the bottoms over mixed coral, rubble and sand areas of seaward reefs. Males are highly territorial patrolling large sections of reef.
Juveniles and females in small schools near the bottom.

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.

02

How to identify

Pattern
stripes

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found singly, high above the bottoms over mixed coral, rubble and sand areas of seaward reefs.

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Adult photos 1

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderEupercaria incertae sedis
    5. familyLabridae
    6. genusHologymnosus
    7. speciesHologymnosus doliatus (Lacepède, 1801)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Wrasses (Labridae)