Brokenline wrasse

Stethojulis interrupta

(Image credit: David Harasti)

The brokenline wrasse undergoes colouration changes as it grows, matures and changes sex. It transitions through two phases – initial (females) and terminal (transition between female and male).

Juveniles have a pinkish-grey upper body with a white belly. A thick horizontal black line running along the body from the mouth, through the eye and to the tail separates the upper and lower body colours. A thin blue line begins to form underneath the eye. All fins are transparent.

Fish in the initial phase are predominantly pink with a white belly. The black line from the juvenile phase has become less bold and been replaced with a flecked blue and black line. The snout section is yellow. The lower portion of the body may have faint black spots.

Terminal phase fish are green with a lighter belly. Short blue lines adorn the face around the eye and snout. A thicker blue line runs along the full dorsal surface. Another begins from the middle of the body and ends at the base of the tail. An orange blotch is present above the pectoral fin base.

Length: Up to 13 cm