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Also known as the Purple Wrasse, the Saddled Wrasse is more common in Tasmania. It
is locally common in places like Wilson’s Promontory in the east and Portland in the
west. Both sexes have regular short saddles of yellow across their back. They can be
quite varied in colour, from purple to red, brown and olive. Males are darker purple-brown
with partial bands extending across the body of larger males. Saddled Wrasse are very common
amongst kelp forests, and sometimes form large feeding groups. They grow to 45cm in
length.
Image ©
Rudie Kuiter & Mark Norman |
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Map interpretation: This maps show the average abundance of this species, as observed by participants in the Great Victorian Fish Count. Each dot represents a site that has been monitered by Reef Watch, and the colour of the dot shows the average abundance, as detailed in the legend. Tentative sightings occur when the Reef Watcher is not 100% confident of the identification, or where the sighting is outside the previously known distribution of the species. It would be great to confirm these sightings with a photograph or further observations.
References:
- Edgar, Graham. J. 1997. Australian Marine Life - the plants and animals of temperate waters (revised edition). New Holland : Sydney .
- Gomon, Martin. F, Glover, J. C. M., & Kuiter, R. H. (eds) 1994. The Fishes of Australia 's South Coast . State Print: Adelaide .
- Hutchins, Barry, & Swainston, Roger. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia - Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing and Gary Allen: Smithfield .
- Kuiter, Rudie. H. 1993. The Complete Divers' & Fishermen's Guide to Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia . Crawford House Press: Bathurst .
- Kuiter, Rudie. H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia - A comprehensive reference for divers & fishermen. New Holland : Sydney .
