Peacock wrasse
📖 Overview
Usually solitary in lagoon and seaward reef areas with fine to loose, coarse sand bottoms . Juveniles sometimes in shallow estuaries . Adults rare in less than 20 m . Benthic and benthopelagic . Dives into sand to sleep safely at night or to hide when alarmed . Feed on hard-shelled invertebrates, including mollusks and crustaceans . Juveniles mimic drifting dead leaves by holding the elongate detached front part of dorsal fin forward over head. Good to eat, flesh very white . Minimum depth reported from Ref. 27115.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12 - 13. Identified by the dark vertical bar below the eye. Usually with 5 dark bars when adult and belly of female turns red. Juveniles with black anal fin and two large ocelli, thinly edged with white, in dorsal fin . First two dorsal spines form a separate fin. Juveniles this fin forms a long, bannerlike filament but shortens with age .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Peacock wrasse is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Distinct pairing during breeding .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 100 m , usually 20 - ? m . Tropical; 24°C - 28°C ; 30°N - 30°S East Africa to the Society Islands, north to southern Japan and Hawaii, south to the Lord Howe Island.
🌿 Ecology
hard-shelled invertebrates, including mollusks and crustaceans (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Peacock wrasse is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.5 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 146 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Peacock wrasse has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Peacock wrasse.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 11 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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