Tropical reef fish
Identity card
Indo-Pacific
From 2 to 35 metres deep.
8 to 10 cm.
Small crustaceans, molluscs, worms, zooplankton.
The wrasse can rid Acropora corals of flatworms, parasitic worms that devour corals.
A study conducted in Australia demonstrated the effectiveness of the dwarf wrasse in combating Prosthiostomum acroporae, parasitic worms that feed on Acropora corals.
Working alongside Lysmata vittata shrimp, the sixline wrasse was able to rid infected corals of adult worms, while the shrimp proved effective at detecting and removing worm eggs.
This species is found in small groups in coastal reefs among coral branches. It is also found in clear coastal waters, in dense coral habitats on reef ridges or shallow slopes down to a depth of about 20 m.
Close to coral reefs, this wrasse takes refuge in the corals at the slightest sign of danger.
This small wrasse is characterised by its bright colours: its body ranges from purple to blue and is striped with six orange bands.
The caudal fin is green to yellowish in colour and is distinguished by the presence of an ocellus on the upper part.
Females are smaller than males.
This small fish is characterised by the presence of an ocellus on its tail. This spot, which mimics an eye, is a decoy that confuses predators, who mistake the wrasse's head for the rear of its body.
There are no specific conservation measures for this species.
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