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Ornate wrasse
Ornate wrasse
brown algae or encrusting organism
2 creatures detected
1600 × 1103 · 170 KB compressed · 0.77 MB original

Ornate wrasse

Thalassoma pavo

HIGH
Family
Labridae
Also known as
Peacock wrasse, Ornate rainbow wrasse
Description
The ornate wrasse is a colorful labrid fish characterized by a golden-yellow body adorned with intricate blue-green wavy lines and streaks on the head and body. Males display particularly vivid coloration with iridescent blue markings on a yellow-orange background. It feeds primarily on small invertebrates, crustaceans, and mollusks found among rocky and reef substrates.
Habitat
Found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, typically in rocky reefs and seagrass beds at depths of 1–50 m. Common around the Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores, and along the West African coast.
Conservation status
Least Concern
Notes
Extremely close-up macro shot showing the head and anterior body in excellent detail. The intricate blue wavy lines on the golden-yellow body and the characteristic golden iris are diagnostic for this species. A brownish algae or encrusting organism is visible in the upper left corner of the frame.
Creatures detected2 in frame
  • Ornate wrassefish
  • brown algae or encrusting organismplant_algae