wrasse

Labrus bergylta

Born female with dominant ones becoming male

Temperate
Regional distribution
Marine fish
Atlantic Ocean
Africa
Europe
Fusiform
Large
Temperate fish

The ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta) is a species of marine ray-finned fish from the family Labridae, the wrasses. It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, where it inhabits rocky areas. Like many wrasse species, it is a protogynous hermaphrodite—all fish start life as females, and some dominant fish later become males.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Unnamed Order
Family: Labridae
Genus: Labrus
Maximum length: 65.9 cm
Water: Marine
Body shape: fusiform
Distribution: Eastern Atlantic: Norway to Morocco, including Madeira, the Azores and the Canary Islands. Doubtful reports from Mediterranean, Adriatic and Marmara seas (Ref. 4742 ), where it is often confused with Labrus merula .
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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