Sea Fishes of the Mediterranean Sea

WRASSE

Family Labridae

Wrasse are a large and diverse family and occur throughout the Mediterranean in large numbers. Most of the species are carnivorous, living on small crustaceans and molluscs and a few have very strong jaws with which to crush sea urchins. They are found around all coastlines, quite often in very large numbers. They all share common characteristics and have bodies around three times their height. They have large, fleshy, protruding lips, and prominent eyes set high on the head. They have one single low dorsal fin and short, rounded pectoral fins. A number of the juveniles of certain species act as cleaners to other fish. Most have various colour changes as they reach maturity and are often difficult to identify.

RAINBOW WRASSE

Coris julis

A distinctive long thin species, the Rainbow Wrasse grows to 25cm (10in) and has several colour changes in its life, usually with a mixture of horizontal stripes of many different colours from yellow to vivid orange. It may even have zig-zag bands along the flanks. It has a pointed snout and tapering tail. Ecology: This is a common fish feeding low over the reef and will often follow divers around as they pick on any disturbed crustaceans and worms.

GOLDSINNY

Ctenolabrus rupestris

A small species of wrasse, growing to 15cm (6in), it is light to golden brown in colour and has a distinctive black blotch on the top of and at the start of the tail. It has prominent buck teeth and widely set protruding eyes. Ecology: It is widely distributed amongst the algae close or near to the shore where it hunts in small groups.

BALLAN WRASSE

Labrus bergylta

This is a large brown wrasse with mottled brownish colouring and grows to 45cm (1ft 6in). It has a high convex head with steeply sloping brow and large, protruding, fleshy lips. It features an intricate network pattern around the head and lower jaw. Ecology: Common around coastal areas and near caverns, there are no external differences as the fish reaches maturity or between the sexes.

CUCKOO WRASSE

Labrus bimaculatus

One of the most colourful of the wrasse, it grows to 35cm (1ft 2in) and is quite common around coastal areas where it prefers a rocky substrate covered with algae and many nooks and crannies to hide in. Ecology: At the male stage, it exhibits brilliant blue markings around the head and flanks changing to orangey red and then back to blue at the tail. The female is a golden brown with three dark markings surrounded by white at the base of the dorsal fin.

BROWN WRASSE

Labrus merula

This is a slender and robust fish growing to 45cm (1ft 6in). It has a moderately sized head and quite small eyes, pointed snout and thick lips. Brown to olive green in colour, the scale markings are evident and during courtship the male will develop some blue spots and blue fin edges. Ecology: This is quite a common, solitary fish found around rocky bottoms and near seagrass where it picks around the stones looking for food scraps.

GREEN WRASSE

Labrus viridus

A small wrasse, olive to golden green in colour and 15cm (6in) in length. There is some controversy over this fish, as it may actually be a juvenile form of another wrasse species, perhaps the Brown Wrasse Labrus merula. As yet, however, the link has not been found, and this would only happen in captivity over a long period. Ecology: This species likes seagrass meadows and small stony areas. It is quite timid and will quickly hide under stones if threatened.

CORKWING WRASSE

Symphodus melops

This species has a darker blotch across the forehead and a very varied coloration, with vertical bands of golden brown and cream. It has a high dorsal fin, dark bands at the tale, blue radiating stripes at the head and lower jaw, and grows to 30cm (1ft). Ecology: It lives in shallow inshore waters and is relatively uncommon. A migrant from the Atlantic, it is more at home in the western Mediterranean.

AXILLARY WRASSE

Symphodus mediterraneus

This species has a dark blotch above the lateral line at the base of the tale. It has an arched lateral line with a large head, pointed snout, prominent lips and grows to 20cm (8in). There is a prominent yellow flash at the pectoral fins around a dark blotch at the juncture of the fin. Ecology: The adult male will have radiating blue lines and blue markings on the fins. It prefers the zone between the sandy area and seagrass meadows.

LONGSNOUT WRASSE

Symphodus rostratus

This very distinct species grows to 8–15cm (3–6in) and features a concave forehead and a long, pointed snout. Variably speckled in colour, it also features a white line from its snout along the top of the back at the base of the dorsal fins. Ecology: It often swims in a head-down posture as it searches the algae for small shrimps, its favourite food. However, when being cleaned by other wrasse species, it hovers in a head-up position.

PEACOCK WRASSE

Symphodus tinca

It has a prominent snout with white, fleshy lips and a dark brown band on the upper jaw radiating to the eyes. There are two or three rows of horizontal, brownish lines along the upper half of a light tan speckled body. It has an obvious pinkish patch on the gill covers. It grows to 35cm (1ft 2in). Ecology: This is a very common species found around seagrass meadows and all algae-covered, rocky reefs, where it feeds on small crustaceans, molluscs and worms.

ORNATE WRASSE

Thalassoma pavo

One of the most ornately coloured, this wrasse grows to 20cm (8in) and has various colour changes as it reaches maturity. Blue and olive green in colour, the juveniles exhibit a dark blotch midway down the back under the dorsal fin. Ecology: It loves shallow, warm coastal waters where it feeds actively on small worms and crustaceans. It is always picking around the reef and whilst it is an active predator during the day, it sleeps hidden from view, buried in sand at night.

PEARLY RAZORFISH

Xyrichthys novacula

This curious fish with its large, rounded head and pearly sheen to its scales is found in shallow coastal lagoons and sandy inlets away from any major water movement. Growing to 20cm (8in) it can have a light tan sheen to the scales and some radiating blue lines on the head and underside of the jay and pelvic fins on the adult males. Ecology: It hovers near the edge of seagrass beds and when danger threatens, this slim fish is able to dive head-first into the soft sediment to escape.