Senator Wrasse, Pictilabrus laticlavius (Richardson, 1839)
Purple-banded Wrasse, Senator Fish
Introduction
The Senator Wrasse changes colour and pattern with growth. The species is endemic to Australia.
Identification
The Senator Wrasse changes colour and pattern with growth. Terminal phase males are usually green with a red to purple 'forked' stripe on the side of the body. Initial phase fish are usually reddish to brown with a row of diffuse black spots along the back and faint bars on the lower sides. Juveniles are light red-brown to greenish with pale spots.
Habitat
It lives on weed covered rocky reefs. The video, below, shows a typical view of this species as it 'takes refuge' in a stand of kelp.
Distribution
The Senator Wrasse is endemic to Australia. It occurs in temperate marine waters from northern New South Wales, around the south of the country, and north to the central coast of Western Australia.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
References
- Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life; the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544
- Gomon, M.F. & B.C. Russell in Gomon, M.F, Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
- Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.