CREOLE WRASSE: SHADES OF DEEP PURPLE

The creole wrasse Clepticus parrae is a small wrasse species, with adult males reaching about 12 inches long. During its life, the fish will change colour significantly.  A juvenile is almost completely violet-purple. As it matures, it becomes paler and develops patches of yellow on the rear part of its body.

Creole wrasse are found throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the western Atlantic, from Florida south to Brazil. The habitat includes Bermuda, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. Their conservation status is LC Least Concern.

These are social fish that live in groups around coral reefs. They are usually found in shallow water, but – perhaps surprisingly for such small creatures – they have also been found as deep as 100m. 

The groups of wrasse feed on plankton, small jellyfish, pelagic TUNICATES, and invertebrate larvae. They are active in groups by day, but at night they separate and each fish finds its own safe crevice in the reef to sleep.

ANYTHING ELSE WE NEED TO KNOW?

Yes indeed. Their intriguing breeding regime – how unlike our own dear species. The creole wrasse is a protogynous hermaphrodite.  The largest fish in a group is a dominant breeding male, while smaller fish remain female. If the dominant male dies, the largest female changes sex. Mature males congregate at leks to breed, at which they display and are approached by females before mating with them. These leks are reminiscent of certain clubs and bars in the less reputable parts of some towns and cities. Or so I am told.

It’s been a while since I included a Rolling Harbour musical diversion. However, the colour of this small fish nudged my memory back to 1968 and DP’s debut album (line-up Mk 1 of several hundred, or so it seems now). Hence the post title. Anyone who remembers this ‘wasn’t there’. Anyone who doesn’t remember it obviously wasn’t there either…

FUN FACT: an early appraisal of the Purp’s music includes the description “a slow and pompous din, somewhere between bad Tchaikovsky and a B-52 taking off on a bombing run”

I don’t think this guy thinks much of that. And quite right too

All wrasse photos from Melinda’s archive; DP cover borrowed from Am@z@n; MP3 moi