Spinster Wrasse

Halichoeres nicholsi

The Spinster Wrasse is a moderately slender and compressed reef fish, identifiable by its small, pointed head and distinctive coloration. It features a blue-green body with a prominent dark vertical bar near the posterior edge of the pectoral fin, which is preceded by a marked yellow spot. Its fins, except for the pectorals, are blue and speckled with red or light-colored spots and stripes. The species has caniniform teeth, with two anterior pairs in each jaw and a protruding canine at the posterior end of the upper jaw. This wrasse is found in the Eastern Pacific, ranging from the Gulf of California to Panama, including the Galapagos Islands. It inhabits depths from 3 to 53 meters, though it is typically seen between 3 and 27 meters. Divers will often encounter the Spinster Wrasse over sand and gravel bottoms near coral reefs. While adults are usually solitary, juveniles can be seen forming aggregations, sometimes with other wrasse species. The diet of the Spinster Wrasse includes mollusks, brittle stars, sea urchins, and crabs. It exhibits unique behavior by hiding under the sand to sleep and seek shelter when threatened. During breeding, they display distinct pairing. The IUCN lists the Spinster Wrasse as Least Concern.