Clown Wrasse Juvenile

Description:

Also known as Sand-reef Wrasses and Slippery Okra. Found singly or in pairs or in groups constantly circling around reefs and sandy areas. Colours highly variable especially between juvenile to adult. They feed on hard shell invertebrates. Length - 14cm Depth - 3-12m Widespread Western Atlantic & Caribbean Most reef fish seen by divers during the day are grazers, that cruise around just above the surface of the coral or snoop into crevices looking for algae, worms and small crustaceans. Wrasses have small protruding teeth and graze the bottom taking in a variety of snails, worms, crabs, shrimps and eggs. Any hard coats or thick shells are then ground down by their pharyngeal jaws and the delicacies inside digested. From juvenile to adult wrasses dramatically alter their colour and body shapes. Wrasses are always on the go during the day, but are the first to go to bed and the last to rise. Small wrasses dive below the sand to sleep and larger wrasses wedge themselves in crevasses.

Habitat:

The Indians are an uninhabited small archipelago of islets in the British Virgin Islandsin the Caribbean. They are west of the small British Pelican Island and east of the small US Flanagan Island. They are located south of larger British Tortola Island and east of the large US Saint John Island. They were so named because from a distance they were though to resemble a Native American chief's head dress. The Indians are also the second most popular dive site in the British Virgin Islands after the wreck of the RMS Rhone. The shallower side of the Indians are also a popular snorkellingsite, as boats can anchor in the lee of Pelican Island.