Wrasses

Saddle Wrasse

Hawaii Cleaner Wrasse

 

Wrasses are probably the most important fishes in the coral reef because they eat the junk in the ocean and help keep the water clean. They can be found in the reef bench zone ( 2-10 meters from shore). Wrasses have thick lips and canine teeth. Their shapes and sizes vary greatly. Their scales are smooth-edged. They do not have scales on their heads. They have a single dorsal fin. Most wrasses are very colorful. Some different types of wrasses are the bird wrasse, blacktail wrasse, ornate wrasse, belted wrasse, Christmas wrasse, eightline wrasse, Pacific hogfish wrasse, rockmover wrasse, dragon wrasse, and razorfish wrasse. Two wrasses that are endemic to Hawai'i are the Hawaiian cleaner wrasse (Ladroides phthirophagus) and the saddle wrasse (Thalassoma duperrey).