Home › Species › Fish › Cortez rainbow wrasse

Cortez rainbow wrasse (Thalassoma lucasanum)

Key facts

Scientific name
Thalassoma lucasanum
Common name
Cortez rainbow wrasse
Category
Fish
Family
Labridae
Genus
Thalassoma
Size
10–15 cm
Depth
1–25 m
IUCN status
Least concern (LC)
Danger level
Harmless
Habitats
rocky-reef, coral-reef
Behaviours
schooling
Ocean zones
Caribbean, Eastern Pacific

Description

Thalassoma lucasanum reaches 15 cm. Eastern Pacific wrasse with spectacular color phases. Terminal males: yellow head, blue-purple collar, green-blue body, red-black tail, Pacific cousin of Caribbean T. bifasciatum (already in base). Initial phases striped black and yellow. Protogynous hermaphrodite. Lives in active schools from 1 to 25 m on rocky and coral reefs from Gulf of California to Peru. Accessory cleaner. Iconic photo subject of Sea of Cortez dives for electric colors.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Cortez rainbow wrasse?
Cortez rainbow wrasse (Thalassoma lucasanum) reaches 10–15 cm in length.
At what depth can you find the Cortez rainbow wrasse?
Cortez rainbow wrasse is found between 1–25 m deep.
Is the Cortez rainbow wrasse dangerous to divers?
Danger level: Harmless.
What is the conservation status of the Cortez rainbow wrasse?
IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
Where can you find the Cortez rainbow wrasse?
Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.

Other species in the genus Thalassoma

  • Thalassoma pavo - Ornate wrasse
  • Thalassoma bifasciatum - Bluehead wrasse
  • Thalassoma lunare - Moon wrasse
  • Thalassoma newtoni - Newton's wrasse
  • Thalassoma lutescens - Rainbow Wrasse
  • Thalassoma grammaticum - Bluehead Wrasse

Other species in the family Labridae

  • Cheilinus undulatus - Humphead wrasse
  • Labrus bergylta - Ballan Wrasse
  • Sparisoma cretense - Mediterranean parrotfish
  • Symphodus mediterraneus - Axillary wrasse
  • Symphodus rostratus - Pointed-snout wrasse
  • Symphodus ocellatus - Ocellated wrasse

Sources

  • Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 273584)
  • Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
  • Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2384480)
  • Conservation: IUCN Red List
  • Encyclopedia: Wikipedia