Noronha wrasse (Thalassoma noronhanum)

Scientific name: Thalassoma noronhanum Boulenger, 1890

Noronha wrasse (Thalassoma noronhanum)

The Noronha wrasse (Thalassoma noronhanum) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. Native range: Western Atlantic, Brazil and its oceanic islands.

Biology

Generally a plankton-eater. Found on deep reefs (40-60 m), where it is recorded inside the lumen of tubular sponges. At Fernando de Noronha and Trindade Islands, groups of 10-450 initial-phase individuals clean other fishes in the water column close to the reef bottom and pinnacles. Also at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, juveniles follow foraging green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and pick off particles stirred from the bottom by the turtle?s activity. Fish clients include about 20 species of surgeonfishes, damselfishes, parrotfishes, grunts, and even small groupers such as coneys. Occasionally, a coney (Cephalopholis fulva) preys on isolated Noronha wrasses out and away from the cleaning stations. Coastal individuals were never recorded cleaning. Strictly diurnal, this wrasse is one of the last reef fishes to emerge from nocturnal shelters and one of the first to retreat. Initial-phase individuals are predominantly dark-

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Thalassoma noronhanum
Family
Labridae (Wrasses)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
13.3
Depth range
0–60 m (0–197 ft)
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 60 m, usually 2 - 5 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Brazil and its oceanic islands.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

More wrasses

See all wrasses

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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