What's been spotted in New South Wales?

Green moon wrasse

Thalassoma lutescens

Depth 6m
Thalassoma lutescens

About this species

This fish undergoes many colouration alterations as it ages and changes sex from female to male. Juveniles have a yellowish brown body. As the fish grows a green band appears behind the head. Older juveniles change the body colour from yellow to green. The head stays yellow and gains irregular pink stripes. In adults, as the fish ages it undergoes a sex transition into male. Males develop a thick blue horizontal band around the centre of the body, behind the pectoral fins. Colours intensify on the head and fins areas. Pink edges appear on the fins. The pectoral fins turn a bright yellow and blue. The tail is moon shaped. Read more…

Regional funding bodies

Regional supporters