Mediterranean rainbow wrasse

Description:

Small wrasse, a max of 25 cm in length. The bigger and more colorful is male - Rainbow wrasse is a sequential hermaphrodite, and all individuals reaching 18 cm, are so-called 'second-phase males' (Photo N° 1 & 2). The initial phase individuals are bicolored, brown above and whitish below (photos N° 3 and 4)

Habitat:

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 rocky beaches below a protected mediterranean coniferous forest.

Notes:

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.