Description

Dotted Wrasse – (No Online Purchases)

The “Dotted Wrasse” is most commonly known by its scientific name, Cirrhilabrus punctatus, and is also frequently referred to as the Finespot Wrasse or Dotted Fairy Wrasse.

Scientific Name: Cirrhilabrus punctatus

Family: Labridae (Wrasses)

Appearance:

They typically have a dark grey to reddish-brown upper body covered with numerous small pink to blue dots (hence the “dotted” common name).

The lower fourth of their body is abruptly white to pale pinkish.

A black spot or bar is often present at the base of the pectoral fins.

Females and juveniles usually have a black spot at the upper caudal (tail) fin base.

Males can display more vibrant colours, especially during courtship, and often have very long pelvic fins (which can be half or more of their standard length) and a black basal stripe on their dorsal and anal fins.

Their colouration can be quite variable depending on age, collection area, and mood.

Habitat and Distribution:

They are native to the Western Pacific Ocean, with a range extending from Papua New Guinea and Australia (including the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea, and as far south as Jervis Bay in NSW) east to Fiji and Tonga.

They inhabit coral reefs, typically found over coral and rubble areas of shallow lagoons and protected reefs, sometimes in more exposed areas.

Depth range is generally from 2 to 35 meters (6.6 to 114.8 ft), though they can be found as deep as 78 meters.

Diet: They primarily feed on zooplankton in the water column. Like other wrasses, they may also graze on algae, small crustaceans, and other invertebrates.

Social Structure and Reproduction:

Dotted Wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning most individuals are born female and can change sex to male later in life.

They typically form small aggregations consisting of a dominant male and several females and initial phase (male) individuals.

Males are generally larger and more colourful and display vibrant colours during courtship.

Conservation Status: The Dotted Wrasse is listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, indicating a stable population.

Aquarium Trade: They are a popular species in the marine aquarium trade due to their attractive colours and peaceful nature. However, like many wrasses, they are good jumpers, so a secure lid is essential for an aquarium. They prefer a tank with plenty of rockwork for hiding and sleeping, as they wedge themselves into crevices or form a mucus cocoon at night.