Weedy Surge Wrasse
Halichoeres margaritaceus
Also known as: Pearl-spotted Wrasse, Pearly Wrasse, Pinkbelly Wrasse, Rainbowfish, Reef-flat Wrasse, Saddled Rainbowfish, Sand-reef Wrasse
- Pearl-spotted Wrasse
- Pearly Wrasse
- Pinkbelly Wrasse
- Rainbowfish
- Reef-flat Wrasse
- Saddled Rainbowfish
- Sand-reef Wrasse
Showing details for the adult stage. Switch stages to see how it differs.
Overview
Found singly or in small schools, over shallow, exposed weedy areas of rocky coastal reefs.
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.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
Where the adult stage lives, and where its photos were taken.
- Range · Indo-Pacific
- Country only · 26
Found singly or in small schools, over shallow, exposed weedy areas of rocky coastal reefs.
Adult photos 26
Discussion
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Deep dive
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