WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Zulu Wrasse

Halichoeres zulu

Also known as: Kwazulu Natal Wrasse, Sand-reef Wrasse

Adult
@Goonie · Kenya · February 20111 / 1
01

Overview

Found singly over shallow water, rock and sand bottoms, with scattered patches of reef, and in tide-pools, of exposed rocky shores.
Western Indian Ocean - South Africa

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

Behaviour
solitary

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Indian Ocean
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found singly over shallow water, rock and sand bottoms, with scattered patches of reef, and in tide-pools, of exposed rocky shores.

04

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. genusHalichoeres
    7. speciesHalichoeres zulu Randall & King, 2010

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Wrasses (Labridae)