Mediterranean Rainbow Wrasse

Photo: Johan Hoffmann · © all rights reserved

Rainbow wrasse dart in tight groups above the submerged walls of Baiae, taking advantage of the elevated water temperature produced by hydrothermal venting to remain active even in winter months when equivalent surface-water sites see reduced fish activity. Their feeding behaviour — picking ectoparasites from larger fish — creates cleaning station dynamics around prominent architectural features. The juveniles are a distinctly different colour from adults, causing frequent misidentifications by visiting divers.