Scarlet Wrasse Among Coral, Milford Sound, New Zealand

A Scarlet Wrasse (Pseudolabrus miles) hides among coral on an artificial reef about 10 meters (32 feet) below the surface of Milford Sound on the South Island of New Zealand. Fiordland Black Coral (Antipathella fiordensis) is visible as the white, feathery structure in the top left of the image. Of the black corals, Fiordland Black Coral is unusual because it's found in the shallowest waters. Most black corals are deep sea species, but Fiordland Black Coral is found at depths of just 10 to 50 meters (32 to 164 feet). Black coral actually appears white when its alive, and unlike other corals does not need warm, shallow water. Milford Sound is host to 7 million coral colonies, which have been developing for 200 million years.

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Filename: NZ_Fiordland_Scarlet-Wrasse_Underwater_6690.jpg
Copyright: Copyright 2009 Kevin Ebi/LivingWilderness.com. All rights reserved.
Image Size: 5616x3744 / 14.5MB; Scarlet Wrasse Coral Milford Sound New Zealand Pseudolabrus miles wrasse fish Antipathella fiordensis Fiordland Black Coral Fiordland black coral white water underwater fish fishes Fiordland National Park New Zealand South Island blue nature wildlife colony Marine Discovery Centre marine Milford Sound Piopiotahi Marine Reserve marine
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A Scarlet Wrasse (Pseudolabrus miles) hides among coral on an artificial reef about 10 meters (32 feet) below the surface of Milford Sound on the South Island of New Zealand. Fiordland Black Coral (Antipathella fiordensis) is visible as the white, feathery structure in the top left of the image. Of the black corals, Fiordland Black Coral is unusual because it's found in the shallowest waters. Most black corals are deep sea species, but Fiordland Black Coral is found at depths of just 10 to 50 meters (32 to 164 feet). Black coral actually appears white when its alive, and unlike other corals does not need warm, shallow water. Milford Sound is host to 7 million coral colonies, which have been developing for 200 million years.