Oxyjulis californica (Günther, 1861)
Señorita
Oxyjulis californica
photo by Love, M.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses)
Max. size:  25 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 4 years
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 97 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Salt Point in northern California, USA to southern central Baja California, Mexico.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Live in kelp and other seaweeds and over rocks. Occurs in intertidal up to 97 m (Ref. 96339). Found usually at depths shallower than 23 m but also caught at depths up to 73 m. Often form small groups, frequently well off bottom. When disturbed often burrows in bottom sediment. Sleep at night buried in sand with head protruding. Feed on a variety of small invertebrates and also picks parasites from other fishes that come to be cleaned. No sex reversal. Pelagic spawner (Ref. 56049).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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