Adults are greyish to greenish with a purple hue, and have five yellowish blotches along the back extending onto the dorsal fin, and often a yellow band at the back of the head behind the gill cover.

Juveniles are reddish-brown, greenish-brown or greyish-green with greenish and orange mottling.

Unlike most wrasses, which usually change sex from female to male during their life, all Purple Wrasses start life as females, and some change sex to become males before they mature. So, both large males and females are present in the population, which is relatively rare in the family Labridae

At a glance

Habitat Rocky reefs out to a depth of 90m
Size can grow to around 45cm
Origin Native
Distribution In Australia it is known from southern New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria to eastern South Australia
Descriptions
Distribution
In Australia it is known from southern New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria to eastern South Australia
Habitat
Rocky reefs out to a depth of 90m
Size
can grow to around 45cm
Common Name Purple Wrasse
Aliases Blue Wrasse, Kelpie, New Zealand Banded Wrasse, Parrotfish, Purple Parrotfish, Saddled Wrasse, Winter Bream, Southern Wrasse,
Origin Native
Conservation Least Concern
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Distribution and map

Distribution provided by The Atlas of Living Australia

Classification

Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
SubphylumVertebrata
SuperclassGnathostomata
ClassActinopterygii
SubclassEuteleostei
SuperorderAcanthopterygii
OrderPerciformes
SuborderLabroidei
FamilyLabridae
SubfamilyLabrinae
GenusNotolabrus
SpeciesNotolabrus fucicola
Synonyms

Synonyms

There are no known synonyms for this species
References and dates
Original No original text available
Bibliography View page references
Added Fri 29 May 2020 @ 00:00 AM
Updated Tue 16 Nov 2021 @ 23:00 PM
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Disclaimer: A lot of work goes into trying to identify and ensure accurate identifications are made, and that the listed Descriptions, Sizes, Habitats and Distribution information is as accurate and valid as possible. Unfortunately, information in this arena is ever changing and as such no guarantee can be offered that it is correct or currently valid — the information is provided as a guide, and it is always suggested that you do a little research to ensure you have the latest and most accurate information. View the references or bibliography. Feedback and comments on the information provided are always welcome.