Blunthead wrasse
📖 Overview
Occurs in aggregations over shallow lagoon and seaward reefs and on reef flats . Feeds mainly on crustacean zooplankton . Spawns at dusk above reefs . Rarely marketed . Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 11. Juveniles easily identified by the color pattern and rounded snout. Males become brightly colored and head usually green with a yellow band following on the body . Head naked, no scales dorsally on opercle. Initial phase with a broad blackish stripe from snout through eye to caudal-fin base (Ref 9823).: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blunthead wrasse is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 15 m , usually 1 - 15 m . Subtropical; 24°C - 28°C ; 30°N - 32°S South Africa (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
crustacean zooplankton (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Bluehead wrasse · Parrotfish · Rainbow Wrasse, Bluntheaded wrasse · Rainbow wrasse · Two-tone wrasse · blunt-headed wrasse · bluntheaded wrasse |
| 🇫🇷French | Labre arc-en-ciel |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Kogashirabera · コガシラベラ |
| 🌍TAH | po'ou |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 四齒 · 碇仔 · 礫仔 · 鈍吻葉鯛 · 鈍頭葉鯛 · 鈍頭錦魚 · 钝头锦鱼 · 青開叉 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julis amblycephalus | Bleeker | 1856 | Synonym |
| Julis melanochir | Bleeker | 1857 | Synonym |
| Pseudojulis trifasciatus | Weber | 1913 | Synonym |
| Pseudojuloides trifasciatus | Weber | 1913 | Synonym |
| Thalassoma marnae | Schultz | 1943 | Synonym |
| Thalassoma melanochir | Bleeker | 1857 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Blunthead wrasse.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 12 records indexed .
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