TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: (Labridae) Wrasses

Genus/speces: Halichoeres semicinctus

Rock Wrasse (male) below:

Rock Wrasse Male 3995256931_9e14b0f8ab_b

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Length to 38 cm (15 inches). Terminal phase males are characterized by a partial dark stripe behind yellow pectoral fins and pink eyes, while females and immature male rock wrasses are similar in appearance having ranging from brown to yellow to orange. 

Rock Wrasse (female or immature male) below:

Rock Wrasse (female or immature male) 3995255809_8f686dbab8_b

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Pt. Conception, California to Guadalupe Island off central Baja California, Mexico. Habitat: Close to rocks near patches of sand; tidepools and down to 24 m (79 feet).

DIET IN THE WILD: Small invertebrates, taken during the day.

REPRODUCTION: Each individual starts as female then changes to a male at length of about 30 cm. Pelagic spawners

CONSERVATION: IUCN: Least concern.

REMARKS : Sleeps at night buried in sand, with head protruding, and will dart to a sandy refuge during the day if startled.

Rock Wrasse (female or immature male) below:

Rock Wrasse (female or immature male) 2972940984_0ce80884d9_b

Southern California Kelp Tank CC14

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