Cortez rainbow wrasse | |
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Terminal phase above, primary phase below | |
Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Labriformes |
Family: | Labridae |
Genus: | Thalassoma |
Species: | T. lucasanum
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Binomial name | |
Thalassoma lucasanum (
T. N. Gill, 1862)
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Synonyms | |
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The Cortez rainbow wrasse (Thalassoma lucasanum) is a species of wrasse native to the eastern Pacific Ocean from Baja California to Peru, as well as around the Galapagos Islands. It is a reef inhabitant, occurring in small schools from the surface to depths of 64 m (210 ft), though rarely deeper than 25 m (82 ft) or shallower than 2 m (6.6 ft). [2] It is generally very common. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. [1] This species can reach 15 cm (5.9 in) in total length. [2] It feeds on small organisms such as crustaceans, plankton and fish eggs, and the young are cleaner fish. [1]