The blue-spotted wrasse (Anampses caeruleopunctatus) is a widely distributed species of wrasse, ranging from the Atlantic coast of 🇿🇦 South Africa to 🇯🇵 Japan and 🇦🇺 Australia, and extending east to Easter Island in the 🌊 Pacific Ocean (excluding Hawaii). It inhabits depths ranging from 3 to 30 meters (9.8 to 98.4 feet), with adult individuals commonly found in the surge zone of coral reefs or along rocky coastlines.
Notably, juvenile blue-spotted wrasses exhibit a unique behavior of mimicking floating leaves through their body orientation and movements. These fish can grow up to a length of 42 centimeters (17 inches). Although the species holds limited significance to local commercial fisheries, it is often sought after for the aquarium trade.
Why it's threatened
There are no major threats to this species, although it is collected for the aquarium trade and caught locally as a food fish in some parts of its range.
Threat classification from the IUCN Red List.
