Castelnau's Wrasse

Dotalabrus aurantiacus

Castelnau's Wrasse is a small species of wrasse found along the Indian Ocean coasts of southern Australia. It is known to inhabit rocky reefs in temperate marine environments. Divers can spot this fish at depths predominantly shallower than 40 meters, with most occurrences not exceeding 60 meters. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males reaching a maximum length of 11.1 cm and females slightly smaller at 10.7 cm. In terms of reproductive behavior, Castelnau's Wrasse is oviparous and forms distinct pairs during the breeding season. Divers encountering Castelnau's Wrasse can expect a harmless interaction, as the species poses no threat to humans. Its conservation status is listed as Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.