1-25-12 Rainbow Wrasse from Ron’s Tropical Marine Series

Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes), Perciformes (Perch-likes),  Labridae (Wrasses)

Halichoeres pictus   

ADULT MALE BELOW

  

DISTRIBUTION:  Western Atlantic: southern Florida, USA and Bahamas to northern South America. 

HABITAT: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 5 – 25 m.

APPEARANCE: Large adult males are blue-green to yellowish green on the upper half of body and pale blue on lower half; blue stripes on head; a large black spot at caudal base. Females or young are silvery tan with a brown back and a brown stripe along the midsize.

DIET:  Various invertebrates.

REPRODUCTION: A protogynous hermaphrodites.  Protogynous hermaphrodites refer to organisms that are born female and at some point in their lifespan change sex to males.  Also noted in the following fish families: Serranidae (groupers), Sparidae (porgies), Synbranchidae (swamp eels), Scaridae (parrotfishes), Pomacanthidae (angelfishes), Gobiidae (gobies), Lethrinidae (emperors).

REMARKS: Note: Protandrous hermaphrodites refer to organisms that are born male and at some point in their lifespan change sex to female. Protandrous animals include clownfish.  

LOCATION: Caribbean Reef.

Flickr  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608208133134/

FEMALE OR IMMATURE BELOW

WORDPRESS SHORTLINK  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-m0