Photo of Animalia: Southern Maori Wrasse (species: Ophthalmolepis lineolatus)

Male Southern Maori Wrasse (Ophthalmolepis lineolatus) above female

© John Turnbull

It's spawning season for wrasse, specifically senator and maori wrasse, which were doing the dance this week at Fairy Bower. This large male (top of photo) was chasing the females (bottom of photo); wriggling along the top of the female, and in some cases the two then shot upwards to release sperm and eggs together. You can really see the difference in sex colouration here too.

Photo taken on 5 Mar 2015