The wrasse family is very large with over 60 genera and 400 species worldwide . There are at least 30 genera and 75 species found at Julian Rocks making it one of the biggest local families.

Wrasses generally have elongate bodies, with a terminal mouth usually with thick lips and protruding canine teeth. The wrasse family covers a large size range from the very large blue gropers down to tiny cleaner wrasse.

Wrasses often show distinct colour forms within a species which vary according to age and gender. Juveniles usually become female first (sometimes referred to as "initial phase" or IP). A single male ("terminal phase" or TP) often lives with a group of females. If the male disappears, a dominant female, will change sex and take over. Males or often very colourful, for example the brilliantly coloured blue groper is a male, whereas the females of that species are brownish.

Males are territorial and will aggressively guard their females from neighbouring males. Spawning may be in pairs or groups

All wrasses are carnivores, most wrasses are benthic feeders, preying on a variety of invertebrates; a few eat zooplankton, some pick parasites from other fishes.
All wrasses are diurnal and hide at night either by burying themselves in the sand or wedging themselves in crevices. They are generally bottom dwellers found on rocky or coral reefs