five-spotted wrasse

The body is compressed and beige in color with wide brown marbling, in five spots as its name suggests.

It also has golden reflections. The color can vary depending on the substrate and stress level. Overall, the pattern and color blend ensure optimal camouflage for this species in sandy bottoms with high concentrations of algae and in seagrass beds.

Like most wrasses, juveniles live in shallow waters in seagrass beds and rocky areas, often in the company of similar species.

Adults are found in algae and mixed areas between seagrass beds and rocky bottoms, sometimes in seagrass beds. These fish are quite shy and harder to observe than the peacock wrasse or ballan wrasse.

Males are territorial during the breeding season. Dominated females and males can live in scattered groups. Their diet typically consists of bryozoans, hydroids, tube worms, shrimp, amphipods, and mollusks.

Reproduction occurs from spring to early summer. The dominant male prepares a nest of Cystoseria algae.

Once the nest is built, he attracts one or more females through courtship displays. After spawning, the male fertilizes the eggs and begins to protect the offspring. The female does not stay after spawning and does not care for the eggs.

During this period, males are particularly aggressive towards other males of the same species. Agonistic displays and intimidation rituals are common. It is possible that 'satellite males,' pretending to be females, participate in fertilizations by releasing quick ejaculations above the nest, but this behavior needs further confirmation.