Green moon wrasse, Norfolk Island, 17 July 2024
As is often the case while I’m out on my swim, last week this guy was circling me, right in my face, peering at me as he swam around and around. He’s the alpha male in the Emily Bay and channel area of Norfolk Island’s reef. The boss – a green moon wrasse, Thalassoma lutescens.
In the oblique afternoon light I could see he was looking a little scarred and care-worn. Like an old war horse with a few battle scars.
Which got me wondering. How long has he been swimming beside me? When did I first capture him on camera?
In a blog post back in September 2021, I remarked, ‘The green moon wrasse were very active and inquisitive this week. One, in particular, followed me for a good half an hour as I made my way around the reef off the Salt House.’
That ‘one’ was this guy.
I tend to take him for granted because he is always around, in my face, posing for photos. I apologise for anthropomorphising here, but he’s inquisitive, fearless, and oozes chutzpah. He’s like a pet puppy.
I was rather emotional after seeing him looking visibly older, but it spurred me on to see when he first appeared in my life. I pored over my green moon wrasse folder of photos (and there are quite a few in there), checking all the images out for matching markings on each side of their faces. I ended up with quite a few that are definitely him, and quite a few that are ‘maybe’s. Below are the definites.
The first definite photo is in June 2020, at which stage he was a young adult, probably having recently transitioned from female to male. By that November the blue band around his middle, only sported by terminal males, had intensified in colour.
Since then he’s gained a few dents and scars, probably had lots of babies, and generally lived the best life a green moon wrasse can live.
Here’s his story in photos.
(Cont’d below)
Left side
Right side
In your face!
Green moon wrasse are said to live five to seven years in the wild, which means that our lovely old friend could well be classified as an elder. I am guessing that one day soonish he just won’t be there, but at least I can show my appreciation for his friendly, show-pony cheek with his own dedicated blog post.
You’ve gotta love him!
And if you want to see the different colours at different life stages for this species of fish, go to my fish page on this site, and scroll down to W for Wrasses.