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Thalassoma pavo
A female Ornate wrasse (Thalassoma pavo). Females and males are recognized by the color patterns of their body. The black mark spotted below the dorsal fin of this fish for example suggests that it is a female. This beautiful fish is a protogynous hermaphrodite species, meaning that fish mature sexually as females and later on can change sex and become males. This is heavily dependent on environmental (such as temperature) and societal parameters. This species in a fairly common inhabitant in rocky Mediterranean sea bottoms.
Rocky bottom, depths ~2m.
Spotted on Jul 30, 2016
Submitted on Jul 31, 2016
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