ANIMAL SPECIES:Five Banded Wrasse, Hemigymnus fasciatus (Bloch, 1792)
The Five Banned Wrasse is a tropical marine fish that can be found in areas of sand, rubble and coral.
Identification
Adult Five Banded Wrasse have a darkish body with four narrow white bars on the sides. The head is yellow-green with irregular pink lines. The caudal fin is either yellow or black.
Juvenile Five Banded Wrasse look similar to adults, but have a dark head, and the white bars are narrower. The caudal fin is dark.
Size range
The species grows to 80 cm in length.Distribution
The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea, throughout South-east Asia and Micronesia, north to Japan, south to Australia and east to the Ducie Islands.
In Australia it is known from the north-western coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country to the southern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Five Banded Wrasse specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
Five Banded Wrasse inhabit areas of sand, rubble and coral. It is found in depths from 1 m to 40 m. Juveniles are more commonly found among branching corals.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
Adult Five Banded Wrasse feed on benthic invertebrates, crustaceans, polychaetes, brittle stars, sea urchins and molluscs. Juvenile Five Banded Wrasse feed mainly on planktonic crustaceans.
Classification
- Species:
- fasciatus
- Genus:
- Hemigymnus
- Family:
- Labridae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 469.
- Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 251.
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A Five Banded Wrasse at Ribbon Reef. View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
A Five Banded Wrasse at Horseshoe Reef. View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
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