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Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse
Coris julis
35.9815, 14.3385
Field Notes
Description:
Dorsal spines (total): 8 - 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11 - 12. Snout with 4-6 cephalic pores. Spiny rays flexible. No scales on head and on base of dorsal and anal fins. Vertebrae 25-26. Males: first 3 dorsal rays elongated, with an orange or red and black spot. Along the flanks, a- longitudinal zigzag orange or red stripe. Females and juveniles: a longitudinal large whitish stripe along flanks, a mid-longitudinal zigzag, dark brown stripe.
Habitat:
Occurs in the littoral zone, near rocks and eelgrass beds. Usually found between 1-60 m, but old males stay in deeper water. Found in deeper waters during winter. Sometimes solitary, among rocks, often with numerous specimens in its immediate vicinity. Buries itself in sand at night or when frightened. Feeds on small gastropods, sea urchins, shrimps, worms, isopods and amphipods. Sexually mature when 1 year old. Protogynous species; females change sex to become males; specimen above 18 cm length are all males. Pelagic eggs.
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