WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Spinster Wrasse

Halichoeres nicholsi

Also known as: Sand-reef Wrasse

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2010
Adult
@abcmath · on a cruise boat in Galapagos islands, Ecuador · March 20151 / 4
01

Overview

Found singly, over gravel and sand bottoms, close to reefs, rich with invertebrate growth. They dive into the sand when disturbed or for sleeping.
Juveniles found in schools.

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

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03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Eastern Pacific
  • Country only · 4
LIVES IN

Found singly, over gravel and sand bottoms, close to reefs, rich with invertebrate growth.

04

Adult photos 4

05

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. genusHalichoeres
    7. speciesHalichoeres nicholsi (Jordan & Gilbert, 1882)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Wrasses (Labridae)