Meet Hawaii’s Colorful Wrasses: The Reef’s Unsung Heroes

If you’ve ever snorkeled in Hawaiʻi’s crystal-clear waters, chances are you’ve encountered a wrasse- even if you didn’t know it at the time. Wrasses are among the most common and fascinating fish found throughout the Hawaiian Islands. With more than 600 species of wrasses worldwide and approximately 45 species inhabiting Hawaiian reefs, these colorful fish are an important part of our marine ecosystem.

You can find wrasses almost anywhere there are healthy coral reefs in Hawaiʻi. From shallow lagoons and reef flats to deeper offshore habitats, these active diurnal carnivorous swimmers are constantly darting among coral heads, searching for food, interacting with other reef creatures, and helping maintain the health of the reef. Their bright colors and unique behaviors make them some of the most enjoyable fish to watch while snorkeling. They can most be identified by their long slender body, they move primarily by flapping their pectoral fins rather than by moving their tails, and finally, tend to have thick lips, and protruding canine teeth used for biting or grasping.  This is of course, a general description for the main ones found in the Hawaiian Islands, as there are others grouped into sand-burrowing wrasse, stocky and deep-sea wrasse, and giant wrasse.

One reason wrasses are so beloved by ocean enthusiasts is their incredible variety. Some species display brilliant shades of green, blue, pink, yellow, and red. According to Maui Ocean Center, during each phase of the wrasse’s life cycle, the patterns and colors will change.  Not only do their colors change, but many wrasse will also change from female to male, if the group’s survival requires it. Among the most recognizable is the Christmas Wrasse, known locally as ’Awela. With its vibrant red and green coloration, it’s easy to see how it earned its festive name. Another fascinating species is the Rockmover Wrasse, famous for its unusual feeding habits. As its name suggests, this clever fish uses its snout to flip over rocks and pieces of coral rubble in search of small crustaceans and other prey hiding underneath.

What makes wrasses particularly special, however, is the important role some species play as reef “cleaners.”

Many Hawaiian reefs contain what divers and snorkelers refer to as “cleaning stations.” These underwater locations act like nature’s car wash, where larger marine animals visit to be cleaned by smaller fish. Bluestreak, Saddleback and Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse species specialize in removing parasites, dead skin, algae, and other debris from larger fish and sea turtles.

One of the most heartwarming sights on a Hawaiian reef is watching a Hawaiian green sea turtle, or honu, patiently hovering near a cleaning station while small wrasses go to work. The turtle remains remarkably still as the tiny fish carefully pick away unwanted parasites and algae from its shell, flippers, and skin. This relationship benefits both animals—the wrasses receive a meal, while the turtle enjoys improved health and hygiene.

For snorkelers lucky enough to witness this behavior, it’s a memorable reminder of how interconnected life is beneath the waves. Every creature, no matter how small, plays an important role in maintaining the balance of the reef ecosystem.

Wrasses are also known for their intelligence and adaptability. Some species can change color as they mature, while others may even change sex during their lifetime as part of their natural reproductive cycle. These remarkable adaptations help ensure healthy populations and demonstrate just how complex reef ecosystems can be.

The next time you find yourself snorkeling along Hawaiʻi’s beautiful coastline, or perhaps aboard a guided snorkel tour like Ko Olina Ocean Adventures– take a closer look at the colorful fish darting around the reef. Whether it’s a brilliantly colored Christmas Wrasse, a hardworking Rockmover Wrasse, or a tiny cleaner wrasse tending to a honu at a cleaning station, you’ll be witnessing one of Hawaiʻi’s most important and fascinating reef residents.

While sea turtles and dolphins often steal the spotlight, wrasses are truly some of the reef’s unsung heroes- bringing color, character, and vital ecological services to Hawaiʻi’s underwater world every day.