Wounded Wrasse

Familia: Wrasses (Labridae)

Tamaño: Up to 20 cm (8 in) | Común 15 cm

Profundidad: 2 – 35m (6 – 115ft)

Distribución: Eastern Pacific (Gulf of California to Peru & Galapagos).

Identificación:
A colorful reef dweller named for a unique marking that looks like an injury.

• The "Wound": Terminal Phase males (like the first picture) have a distinct red and blue blotch on their side, just above the pectoral fin. It looks exactly like a fresh wound, which is how they got their name.
• Sexual Dimorphism: They change sex and color as they grow. Females and juveniles (Initial Phase) are completely different—usually greenish-brown without the "wound" marking.

Comportamiento:
A busy hunter on the move.

• Movement: Like all wrasses, they swim using their pectoral fins (flapping like wings) rather than their tail. They are constantly on the move, darting around rocks to hunt.
• Feeding: They are carnivorous, using sharp teeth to pick small crabs, shrimp, and mollusks off the reef.