The saddle wrasse (Thalassoma duperrey), also known as Hīnālea Lauwili in Hawaiʻi, is a species of wrasse native to the waters around the Hawaiian Islands[2] and Johnston Island.[3] They are found on reefs at depths from 5 to 25 m (16 to 82 ft). This species can reach 28 cm (11 in) in total length. This species can also be found in the aquarium trade.[4]
Adults of the saddle wrasse have a dark blue-green head followed by a dull orange band that will intensify during the spawning seasons, as for the rest of the body it is blue-green with numerous magenta arrows running down the sides.[2] Terminal males typically have a white bar around the orange band that is able to be turned on or off, as well as a crescent-shaped tail fin.[2] Juveniles tend to be more whitish with a dark stripe that runs from the top of the head to the tail. Smaller adults are able to revert to the juvenile coloration to avoid harassment from larger fish.[2] Saddle wrasses can grow up to 11.5 inches (29.21 cm) in length.[5][3]
Saddle wrasses are endemic to Hawaii as well as Johnston Atoll, where they are very common.[3][6]
Saddle wrasses can be found in intertidal and shallow habitats down to about 70 ft (21.34 m) of depth.[2] They are found in areas with a lot of corals, rocks, nooks, and crannies to have a quiet get-away and hiding place from potential threats.[5] These fish sleep hidden in holes or burrows in sandy areas.[5]
Saddle wrasses are carnivores and opportunistic feeders, consuming anything that will become available to them.[5] As juveniles, they will tend to be considered “cleaners'': such as picking parasites from larger fish or animals, but as they mature they will start to scavenge for worms, shells, mollusks, shrimps, and other crustaceans.[5][2] They have canine teeth and pharyngeal bones near their gills in order to help crush the shells.[5]
Hīnālea were integral to society and fishing communities in Hawaii as a staple food and regular item in the Hawaiian diet.[6][7] They were also regularly used in ceremonies and offerings to Hawaiian gods and goddesses.[6][7] Specific fishing practices include melomelo, where club-like sticks were charred and anointed in oil to attract hīnālea when submerged underwater.[7] Fishermen, or lawai‘a, wove baskets, called hīnaʻi hoʻoluʻuluʻu, out of vines of the endemic ‘āwikiwiki plant, which then were weighted and dropped into the ocean to trap hīnālea.[7]
The saddle wrasse (Thalassoma duperrey), also known as Hīnālea Lauwili in Hawaiʻi, is a species of wrasse native to the waters around the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Island. They are found on reefs at depths from 5 to 25 m (16 to 82 ft). This species can reach 28 cm (11 in) in total length. This species can also be found in the aquarium trade.
