Spotty

Fascinating facts about the Spotty

• At depths of up to 145 m (476 ft) but usually shallower, the spotty is found on New Zealand's reef walls.
• Reaching 23.9 cm (9.4 in) in length, this tiny wrasse is small.
• When a spotty reaches 13–19 cm and is about 3–4 years old, the largest females can become males.
• A dominant male guards a harem of roughly 20 females, defending his territory with such vigor that the loss of one male triggers a rapid, days-long sex change in the top female, ensuring the group never runs out of leaders.

At a glance

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