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Ornate Wrasse female

Thalassoma pavo

Photo by valentinezza
Published on Project Noah
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39.0955, 8.29629

Field Notes

Description:

The ornate wrasse, Thalassoma pavo, is a species of wrasse native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean from Portugal to Gabon and the oceanic islands and into the Mediterranean Sea. This species inhabits areas of rocks and eelgrass in coastal waters at depths from 1 to 150 m (3.3 to 492.1 ft), though rarely below 50 m (160 ft). It can reach 25 cm (9.8 in) in length, though most do not exceed 20 cm (7.9 in). This species is of minor importance to local commercial fisheries, is also popular as a game fish, and can be found in the aquarium trade.

Notes:

Curious, is attracted easily stirring up sediment from the bottom. The female specimens often move in large groups. Sometimes the younger fish feed on external parasites of larger fish, cleaning them.

Species ID Suggestions

Ornate Wrasse female

Thalassoma pavo

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Photographed
PublishedSeptember 4, 2014

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