Animal Species:Crimsonband Wrasse, Notolabrus gymnogenis (Günther, 1862)
The Crimsonband Wrasse is commonly seen by divers in the Sydney region. Females are usually seen in weedy areas. Males, with the white caudal peduncle and red fins, are immediately recognisable.
Standard Common Name
Crimson-banded Parrot-fish, Crimson-banded Wrasse, Spotted Rainbowfish, White-spotted Rainbow-fish
The Crimsonband Wrasse changes colour pattern with growth. Juveniles are a drab green to brown with white spots.
Females are red, green or grey with rows of white spots. Males have white cheeks, a red band across the body, red dorsal and anal fins and a white caudal peduncle and tail.
The species name gymnogenis comes from the Greeek gymnon meaning bare and genys meaning cheek. This refers to the nearly naked cheeks that have a single row of scales.
The Crimsonband Wrasse grows to 40 cm in length.
It occurs from southern Queensland to eastern Victoria
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Distribution by collection data
The species occurs at depths of 4 m to 40 m. It is a common species on rocky, kelp-covered reefs in the Sydney region.
Feeding and Diet
The Crimsonband Wrasse is a carnivore. It has an unusual upper jaw with two large teeth anterioroly and a single tooth curving forward at the rear of the jaw.
- Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1993. Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Crawford House Press. Pp. 437.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Tags fishes, ichthyology, Notolabrus gymnogenis, Crimsonband wrasse, Labridae, red, green, white, brown, grey, 'normal fish', deep-bodied, 30 cm - 1 m, mottled, countershaded, rocky reef, marine, adult,