Red-breasted Wrasse

A colourful wrasse with a distinctive reddish breast and five dark bars along its body. Found exclusively on the Gulf of Oman side of the UAE, this species frequents coral and rocky reefs at moderate depths.

Species Stats

Diet

Molluscs, small crustaceans, echinoderms

Habitat

Coral reefs, rocky reefs

Local Name (Arabic)

أبو حناء

Fun Facts

• 1

  Wrasses are sequential hermaphrodites — this species begins as female before some individuals become male.

• 2

  Uses powerful jaws to crack open mollusc shells and sea urchins.

• 3

  Regularly seen at popular dive sites like Martini Rock and Dibba Rock in Fujairah.

Found In