Wrasse (pronounced "rass") are among the most colorful and interesting of all fish. They range in size from a few inches to some as big as 200 pounds, but the small ones are the most appealing. All have been given gorgeous coloring by the Creator and are found in ocean waters off the coasts of Europe, in the Mediterranean and the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Many divers find the Red Sea a favorite spot for them.
Those in the northern waters include the red wrasse, the green, the black, the rainbow, the ballen and several more. An outstanding one in the Great Barrier Reef is called moon. It is different than most others, with a rather small mouth and pointed head. It has a beautiful, narrow blue and pink ridge all along its back, which matches big fins that are a soft pink in the center, but otherwise a bright blue. Its pretty, pointed, narrow head is also blue.
A big 200-pounder in the Red Sea is called the humphead, because at first glance it looks like a big turtle is getting a ride on its blue and green back. Huge lips covering its big mouth are a smooth, deep blue, but the rest of its body is pale blue, except for big, green fins matching the hump on its back.
One of the interesting activities of the smaller wrasse is cleaning the teeth of big fish. When a huge fish is uncomfortable with bits of food caught in its teeth, it holds its huge mouth open when it sees a wrasse approaching. The wrasse swims right inside, checking out each tooth for bits of food, which are often parts of other fish that were eaten.
If the big fish should shut its mouth at such a time it would be the end of the little visitor, but they never seem to do that. When the little wrasse finishes its job it swims away, having had a free meal. The huge fish, with its teeth now clean, goes its way also, perhaps never again to see its tooth-cleaner. Isn't it wonderful how the Creator has provided such an arrangement for them?
If space allowed we could consider many more varieties. Each one is a little different from the others, but all dressed in gorgeous colors provided by the One named in our opening Bible verse.
These provide one more example of the wonders of God's creation and they are always under His watchful eye. But, more important, the Bible also tells us, "The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear [love] Him.... Our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name" (Psa. 33:18,2118Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; (Psalm 33:18)
21For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. (Psalm 33:21)). Can this be said of you?