Wildlfe of the Month - Sandager's Wrasse
Anna Clague Jan 29, 2025
Coris sandeyeri
Habitat - a species of wrasse native to the southwestern temperate
Feeding - Feeds mainly on small benthic invertebrates like ophiuroids, chitons, amphipods, and small gastropods. Adults feed by rummaging on the bottom while juveniles and sub-adults are sometimes found to be cleaner symbionts and pick parasites from the bodies of other fish. They also feed on benthic organisms
Size - can reach a length of 25cm
Breeding habits - Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding
Defense - The species is active only during daylight; at night it sleeps buried under sand.
Description - The wrasses live in small shoals consisting of one male and several 'attendant' females and juveniles. In the presence of the male, all juveniles will grow into females, but when the male dies or is removed from the shoal, the group's dominant female then undergoes physiological changes to convert herself into a male. The male fish has a deeper body, and differs significantly in colouration. For example, the Males are easily identified by the two large black bars edged by white and yellow behind the head, whereas females lack the bars and are more drably coloured. Juveniles have a thin body with a golden stripe down the side that ends at a black spot on the base of the tail.
