Fish
Surge Wrasse
Thalassoma purpureum
A boldly green-and-pink striped wrasse of the wave-battered surge zone, at home in the wash where few other reef fish venture.
- Habitat
- Surge zone of reef flats and rocky shores
The surge wrasse is a strikingly patterned fish. Initial-phase individuals carry rows of vertically elongate green spots separated by light red stripes and maroon lines, while terminal males turn green shading to blue-green with narrow pink stripes and bold pink bands across a blue-green head.
As the name suggests, it favours the surge zone of reef flats and rocky shores, thriving in the turbulent wash of breaking swell. It is a widespread Indo-Pacific reef wrasse.