Saddle wrasse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saddle wrasse |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
The saddle wrasse (Thalassoma duperrey) is a colorful fish. It is also known as Hīnālea Lauwili in Hawaiʻi. This fish lives in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Island. You can find them on reefs about 5 to 25 meters (16 to 82 feet) deep. Saddle wrasses can grow up to 28 centimeters (11 inches) long. Some people also keep them in aquariums.
Contents
What Does a Saddle Wrasse Look Like?
Adult saddle wrasses have a dark blue-green head. Behind their head is a dull orange band. This band gets brighter during their spawning seasons. The rest of their body is blue-green with many magenta arrows. These arrows run down their sides.
Male saddle wrasses can show a white bar around their orange band. They can make this bar appear or disappear. Their tail fin is shaped like a crescent moon. Young saddle wrasses look different. They are more whitish with a dark stripe. This stripe goes from their head to their tail. Smaller adults can even change back to their juvenile colors. This helps them avoid bigger fish. Saddle wrasses can grow to be about 29 centimeters (11.5 inches) long.
Where Do Saddle Wrasses Live?
Saddle wrasses are found only in Hawaii and Johnston Atoll. This means they are "endemic" to these areas. They are very common in these waters.
Saddle Wrasse Habitat
Saddle wrasses live in shallow ocean areas. You can find them in places where the tide goes in and out. They also live in slightly deeper waters, down to about 21 meters (70 feet). They like areas with lots of corals and rocks. These places have many small nooks and crannies. These spots offer quiet hiding places from dangers. At night, these fish sleep hidden. They find holes or burrows in sandy areas to rest.
What Do Saddle Wrasses Eat?
Saddle wrasses are meat-eaters. They are also "opportunistic feeders." This means they will eat almost anything available to them. When they are young, they act as "cleaners." They pick parasites off larger fish or other animals. As they get older, they start to look for other food. They scavenge for worms, small shells, mollusks, and shrimp. They also eat other crustaceans. Saddle wrasses have special canine teeth. They also have strong bones near their gills. These help them crush shells.
Saddle Wrasses and Hawaiian Culture
Hīnālea (saddle wrasses) were very important in Hawaii. They were a main food source for fishing communities. People in Hawaii ate them regularly. They were also used in special ceremonies. People offered them to Hawaiian gods and goddesses.
Hawaiians had special ways to catch these fish. One method was called melomelo. Fishermen would char wooden sticks. Then they would rub them with oil. These club-like sticks were put underwater. They helped attract the hīnālea. Fishermen, called lawai‘a, also wove baskets. These baskets were called hīnaʻi hoʻoluʻuluʻu. They made them from the vines of the ‘āwikiwiki plant. The baskets were weighted down and dropped into the ocean. This trapped the hīnālea inside.
