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Project Noah Nature School
Coris julis
Small wrasse, a max of 25 cm in length; even though the individuals presented here are about 15cm, and are so called the 'initial phase individuals', smaller than 18cm in length, and bicolored, brown above and whitish below. Rainbow wrasse is a sequential hermaphrodite, and all individuals reaching 18 cm, become the 'second-phase males', bigger and much more colorful.
This species is native to Mediterranean sea - it seems that the population from Atlantic sea is supposed to be classified as a species some time soon... However, This wrasse is a common litoral fish in Adriatic, and is usually found in shallow, rocky waters rich in seaweed close to shores. Here, in a bay with popular rocky beaches, not too far away from the center of the town, and below a coniferous forest.
This wrasse is considered to be an indicator of clean, unpolluted sea waters. And it's a pleasure to say that every summer we observe them on each and every beach we visit in Dubrovnik Riviera.
Spotted on Jul 14, 2018
Submitted on Aug 16, 2018
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