Black-spotted parrotfish

Black spot wrasse ( Austrolabrus maculatus )

The black spot wrasse ( Austrolabrus maculatus, Syn: Labrichthys maculatus ) is a small wrasse, which is endemic to the Australian south coast. He is the only species of its genus.

Dissemination

There are two separate populations. One lives from Shark Bay in Western Australia, where they are most prevalent, to Iceland Kangaroo off the coast of South Australia, the other on the coast of New South Wales. The western population lives on scree and rocky reefs at depths of 10-20 meters, the eastern adheres preferably between sponges and goes in depths up to 40 meters. Juveniles mainly live in shallow water between algae and stones.

Features

The black spot Wrasse is 20 inches long. The upper half of his body is pinkish brown, with some darker in males and black dots. The underside is pale, white males. Young fish have a white edged black, saddle-shaped spot on the top of the caudal peduncle, which fades with age.