Cuckoo wrasse

Cuckoo wrasse
Labrus mixtus
Adult male cuckoo wrasse
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Labroidei
Family: Labridae
Genus: Labrus
Species: L. mixtus
Binomial name
Labrus mixtus
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms

Labrus bimaculatus Linnaeus, 1758

Labrus mixtus (the Cuckoo Wrasse ) is a medium size wrasse living in rocky areas in Atlantic waters.

Description

The male and female have different colouration.

The male colouration changes during the breeding season. At the start the head is blue with a blue body and orange pattern and blue tail. The body colouration gradually changes to an orange head and body with a blue pattern that may is more pronounced at the head.

The female has an orange head, body and tail with a black stripe on the dorsal fin broken up by a number of white spots.

The female has the ability to change sex when there are no males present in the area.

Additional Images

Click on images for higher resolution

Cuckoo Wrasse Female 1.jpg

Female Cuckoo Wrasse

Cuckoo Wrasse Male 1.jpg

Male Cuckoo Wrasse in late summer