Pastel Ringwrasse

Hologymnosus doliatus, commonly referred to as the Pastel Ringwrasse, is a marine ray-finned fish belonging to the Labridae family, known as the wrasses. This species is indigenous to the Indo-Pacific region.

The Hologymnosus doliatus exhibits a long and slender body structure characterized by small scales. Notably, its head remains unscaled. Males of the species display a bluish-green to pale reddish hue complemented by lavender bars, a distinctive pale band located at the rear of the pectoral fin, and orange lines adorning the head. In contrast, females are typically bluish, greenish, or greyish, featuring 20-23 orange bars along their flanks and a notable bluish-black spot at the posterior edge of the gill cover. Juvenile Hologymnosus doliatus are whitish in coloration, marked with three thin orange-red stripes. The dorsal fin of this species is equipped with 9 spines and 12 soft rays, while the anal fin comprises 3 spines and 12 soft rays. These fish can attain a length of up to 50 centimeters (20 inches).

Geographically, Hologymnosus doliatus inhabits the 🇮🇳 Indian and 🌊 Pacific Oceans, ranging from East and 🇿🇦 South Africa to 🇼🇸 Samoa and the Line Islands, extending northward to 🇯🇵 Japan and southward to the Great Barrier Reef, Lord Howe Island, and 🇳🇨 New Caledonia (🇫🇷 Overseas France). In Western Australia, their range extends as far south as Ningaloo Reef.

This species predominantly inhabits seaward reefs comprising a mix of sand, rubble, and coral, at depths reaching up to at least 30 meters (98 feet). Juveniles typically form groups near the seafloor, whereas adults are found higher above the bottom. Female Pastel Ringwrasses are generally observed in small groups, while males are solitary and territorial, often guarding expansive sections of the reef. As a carnivorous species, their diet primarily consists of fishes, which constitute 50% of their nutrition, as well as crustaceans, particularly shrimp. Additionally, they consume brittlestars and polychaete worms.