Brown wrasse (Labrus merula)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Labrus merula
- Common name
- Brown wrasse
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Labridae
- Genus
- Labrus
- Size
- 25–45 cm
- Depth
- 3–80 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky, seagrass
- Behaviours
- solitary, territorial
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Mediterranean
Description
Labrus merula reaches 45 cm. Large Mediterranean wrasse with a massive body in blue-grey to dark blue-purple, scales edged in gold, fins edged in electric blue. Protogynous hermaphrodite like all Labrus. Solitary and territorial on Mediterranean rocky bottoms and seagrass between 3 and 80 m. More discreet than its tropical cousin the humphead wrasse, considered one of the most beautiful Mediterranean fish.
Photo of Brown wrasse
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Brown wrasse?
- Brown wrasse (Labrus merula) reaches 25–45 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Brown wrasse?
- Brown wrasse is found between 3–80 m deep.
- Is the Brown wrasse dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Brown wrasse?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Brown wrasse?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Labrus
Other species in the family Labridae
- Bodianus rufus - Spanish hogfish
- Bodianus pulchellus - Cuban hogfish
- Halichoeres pictus - Rainbow wrasse
- Halichoeres cyanocephalus - Yellowcheek wrasse
- Sparisoma chrysopterum - Redtail parrotfish
- Sparisoma rubripinne - Yellowtail parrotfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 126967)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2383638)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia