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Project Noah Nature School
Cheilinus chlorourus
This wrasse is deep red in color and has whitish spots distributed evenly all over its body. Its face -- eyes and cheeks area -- is greenish and spotted with red dots. When threatened, it can raise its dorsal fin, which is spiny. Also known as Maori and Thicklip Wrasses, Cheilinus chlorurus, Floral Maori Wrasse, White-dotted Wrasse and White-dotted Maori Wrasse. These are the largest of wrasses with thick lips, hence the name! They feed on benthic, hard-shell invertebrates, and grow to a length of about 35cm.
They live singly in shallow lagoons and harbors over rubble areas, all over the Indo-Pacific region. Found at depths of 1 to 30m.
I spotted this wrasse, which was about a foot long, at a depth of 50 feet. It actually came very close to me and didn't seem at all concerned (it never raised its dorsal fin) -- probably because I was very still and breathing slowly during that time on the sandy bottom.
Spotted on Jan 23, 2012
Submitted on Jan 24, 2012
1 Comment
Gorgeous fish