The Sandager Wrasse is mainly found in the Northern half of the North Island. This fish is also one of the most colourfull fish we have on our reefs.

It is found amongst the reefs and off shore islands in clear water normally on sandy bottoms. This fish is very tame and may be hand fed when diving, or seen at Goat Island Reserve just north of Leigh.

The males are a territorial fish and are often seen with several females.

Theise fish vary in colour with the small or juvinile fish being whitish with a yellow stripe along their body. The females are a brownish pink with two brown marks or smuges on their sides. The males like many male birds are the colourfull ones being a silvery grey colour with a series of blue, orange, white and yellow stripes going round the body from the head to about halfway down the length of the body.

The wrasse grows to a length of about 13" or 35 to 40 cm.