Whitsundays Maori Wrasse

Maori Wrasse of the Whitsundays

Maori Wrasse are commonly seen by divers and snorkellers here in the Whitsundays. There is usually at least one local resident at the major northern dive sites such as Mantaray Bay, Luncheon Bay, Maureens Cove and Blue Pearl Bay.

The Maori Wrasse (Also known as Napolian Wrasse) is the largest fish in the Wrasse family. It can grow to sizes over 2m and weight in excess of 180kg. For all this bulk though, they are quite relaxed around divers and snorkellers, especially in places where they have regular contact with people. In the past people have fed these fish and they associate divers and snorkellers with a free lunch handout. As a result, you may find one following you or cruising in and out to keep an eye on you while you explore the Whitsundays reef systems.

Males and Females

Females tend to have more dull colurs than the males. The females come in dull greys and browns while the male is a brighter Green or aqua color with intricate patterns on the head and front half of it's body. As they aproach adulthood, the Maori Wrasse of the Whitsundays grows a distinct lump on the forehead. All Maori Wrasse start their lifecycle as a female becoming male later in life if required. As the largest male becomes dominant in an area, it also becomes territorial and chases other males from it's territory. These are usually the largest Maori Wrasse you will encounter. If the Largest male dies, one of the females will often change sex and become the new dominant male for a territory.

Feeding

The Maori wrasse has some unique methods of getting hold of it's next dinner. One trick is for the fish to 'blow' water jets using the same method we would to blow air. The jets are used to clear away debris and sand to search for prey that may be hidden below and out of sight. Once prey has been spotted hiding under or behind coral, the Maori Wrasse can bite and break coral and obstructions and even extend it's jaw forward to reach further into small cracks and crevices for that special tasty morsel !

Maori Wrasse also eat some things that most other fish won't touch such as the Crown Of Thorns star fish and the poisonous Box Fish. The Maori Wrasse also eats most moluscs and other smaller fish.

Life

Maori Wrasse live their lives mostly solitary although sometimes they are found in pairs. They rarely school together in large groups. During the day, the Maori Wrasse of the Whitsundays will be found feeding, while at night, it generally finds a ledge, cave or coral overhang and hides from the nighttime predators.