Saddle wrasse
(Thalassoma duperrey)
General data
The saddle wrasse (Thalassoma duperrey), also known as Hīnālea Lauwili in Hawaiʻi, is a species of wrasse native to the waters around the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Island.
They are found on reefs at depths from 5 to 25 m (16 to 82 ft).
This species can reach 28 cm (11 in) in total length. This species can also be found in the aquarium trade.
Adults of the saddle wrasse have a dark blue-green head followed by a dull orange band that will intensify during the spawning seasons, as for the rest of the body it is blue-green with numerous magenta arrows running down the sides. Terminal males typically have a white bar around the orange band that is able to be turned on or off, as well as a crescent-shaped tail fin. Juveniles tend to be more whitish with a dark stripe that runs from the top of the head to the tail. Smaller adults are able to revert to the juvenile coloration to avoid harassment from larger fish.
