Saddle wrasse | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Labriformes |
Family: | Labridae |
Genus: | Thalassoma |
Species: | T. duperrey
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Binomial name | |
Thalassoma duperrey | |
Synonyms | |
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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 [2] and Johnston Island. [3] 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. [4]
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. [2] 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. [2] 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. [2] Saddle wrasses can grow up to 11.5 inches (29.21 cm) in length. [5] [3]
Saddle wrasses are endemic to Hawaii as well as Johnston Atoll, where they are very common. [3] [6]
Saddle wrasses can be found in intertidal and shallow habitats down to about 70 ft (21.34 m) of depth. [2] They are found in areas with a lot of corals, rocks, nooks, and crannies to have a quiet get-away and hiding place from potential threats. [5] These fish sleep hidden in holes or burrows in sandy areas. [5]
Saddle wrasses are carnivores and opportunistic feeders, consuming anything that will become available to them. [5] As juveniles, they will tend to be considered “cleaners'': such as picking parasites from larger fish or animals, but as they mature they will start to scavenge for worms, shells, mollusks, shrimps, and other crustaceans. [5] [2] They have canine teeth and pharyngeal bones near their gills in order to help crush the shells. [5]
Hīnālea were integral to society and fishing communities in Hawaii as a staple food and regular item in the Hawaiian diet. [6] [7] They were also regularly used in ceremonies and offerings to Hawaiian gods and goddesses. [6] [7] Specific fishing practices include melomelo, where club-like sticks were charred and anointed in oil to attract hīnālea when submerged underwater. [7] Fishermen, or lawai‘a, wove baskets, called hīnaʻi hoʻoluʻuluʻu, out of vines of the endemic ‘āwikiwiki plant, which then were weighted and dropped into the ocean to trap hīnālea. [7]