Emerald Wrasse
Vieja esmeralda
(Thalassoma virens)

Emerald Wrasse, Thalassoma virens: The Emerald Wrasse is characterized by its consistent uniform body color with an emerald green color.

This fish species is easy to identify and not easily confused with other species with the only possible exception being the Sunset Wrasse, Thalassoma grammaticum, which is more abundant but has strong distinguishing markings around its head. They form large schools that feed on algae, small crustaceans, plankton and soft coral.

The Emerald Wrasse has been reported to reach a length of 15 inches and about 1 pound. They are normally found over rocky-shore in the surge zone within the first 50 feet of the water column.

The Emerald Wrasse is a member of the Labridae or Wrasse Family.

Distribution in Mexico fishing areas

In Mexican fishing waters , the Emerald Wrasse as been reported around the tip of Baja California and Clipperton Island and at the Revillagigedos Islands.

The two fish pictured immediately below were caught near 22 degrees 6 minutes N and 109 degrees 5 minutes W, which is viewed by Dr. Milton Love, University of California, Santa Barbara, to be a rather unique location for this species.

The previously known most northerly location for this fish was the Revillagigedos Islands, 18 degrees 7 minutes N, approximately 310 miles to the south. Dr. Ross Robertson, Smithsonian Institute, Panama, has reported this species, but only as vagrants, to be found in the Cabo San Lucas area, however.

Emerald Wrasse fish picture 1

Emerald Wrasse fish picture 2

Emerald Wrasse fish picture 3

Emerald Wrasse, Thalassoma virens: Three similar sized fish caught while fishing from shore in the surge zone on cut squid, between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Size of each fish approximately 12 inches and 1 pound.

The first fish is in the Initial Phase (female), caught from shore in the last hour of daylight in April 2003, in 73-degree water, in less than 6 inches of water, between the “trough” and dry land, utilizing a 15-pound test, two dropper loop rig, no swivel, 1.5-ounce bank sinker, and Mustad 92553 hooks, size #4 on cut squid, at Km, 12, Cabo Del Sol, between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Fish identification courtesy Dr. Milton Love, University of California, Santa Barbara. Photo courtesy Carol Snow.

The second fish is in a transitional phase. Caught by Dr. Mike Browning of Denver. Identification courtesy Dr. Milton Love, University of California, Santa Barbara.

The third fish is in the Final Phase (male). Several productive discussions with Dr. Benjamin Victor (coralreeffish.com) related to the lifestyle of this species acknowledged.  Dr. Victor believes that the Emerald Wrasse “settle out” in the Los Cabos area during periods of El Niño and these are mostly 1998–1999 fish. He also indicates that they are elusive, secretive and exceedingly fast swimmers that spend a significant amount of time in the high surge zones very close to shore.  Due to its very limited known distribution range this is a very rare poorly studied species. Description and photo courtesy of John Snow.

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