Wrasse are common on many dives and snorkels, but this was the first time I encountered the Bird Wrasse, a fairly unique looking creature with a bit of a beak or proboscis. They use their unique mouth to reach in between corals to grab their prey.
Order Perciformes
Family Labridae - Wrasses
Family Scaridae - Parrotfish
Family Zanclidae
There is only one extant species in hte family Zanclidae - the Moorish Idol (Zanclus cornutus). These attractive fish use their odd shape and coloration to confuse predators - a form of disruptive coloration. Their pointed snout allows them to pick their prey out of tiny cracks and crevases.
There is only one extant species in hte family Zanclidae - the Moorish Idol (Zanclus cornutus). These attractive fish use their odd shape and coloration to confuse predators - a form of disruptive coloration. Their pointed snout allows them to pick their prey out of tiny cracks and crevases.