The Cuckoo Wrasse is one of the most colorful fish in the Mediterranean. Females are rose-red to orange-red with black and white blotches on the back, while males display brilliant iridescent blue on their heads and blue lines and blotches along their bodies. They have a slender body, long dorsal fins, and robust, flattened teeth.
Cuckoo Wrasses are native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the coastal waters of the Mediterranean Sea, including the Maltese Islands. They are usually found in coralligenous habitats, particularly around gorgonians.
The Cuckoo Wrasse is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning females can change sex to males when no males are present.
They are sexually dimorphic with males showing striking blue coloration and females being rose-pink to orange-red.
They feed mainly on crustaceans but also consume small fishes and molluscs.
Males build nests of seaweed during the breeding season and guard the eggs
You can see Cuckoo Wrasses
can also be spotted at many popular dive sites around Gozo, such as:
Blue Hole: Known for its diverse marine life and underwater topography.
Xlendi Bay: Offers rich underwater biodiversity and clear waters.
Fungus Rock: Features interesting rock formations and marine habitats.
These sites are favored by divers for their visibility and variety of marine species, including the colorful Cuckoo Wrasse.
