Biodiversity & Conservation

Ballan wrasse - Labrus bergylta

Labrus bergylta

Image Paul Newland - White and orange Labrus bergylta off a soft seabed. Image width ca XX cm.
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Distribution map

Labrus bergylta recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

Why do the maps differ?

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Labrus bergylta is not listed under any importance categories.

Taxonomy icon Taxonomy Taxon English term
Phylum Chordata Sea squirts, fish, reptiles, birds and mammals
Class Actinopterygii Ray-finned fish, e.g. sturgeon, eels, fin fish, gobies, blennies, and seahorses
Authority Ascanius, 1767
Recent synonyms None
Map icon Recorded Distribution in Britain and Ireland Common off all British and Irish coasts.
Habitat information icon Habitat information Labrus bergylta is found in inshore waters amongst weed covered rocks or in lower shore pools. It is also found in the algal zone on rocky coasts from 5-30 m
Text page icon Description Labrus bergylta is a heavy bodied wrasse with a broad head, small mouth and thick lips. The colouration of this wrasse is variable but there are no external differences between the sexes. The body, head and fins are often brownish red or reddish with numerous small white spots but can be greenish with white spots or irregular large vertical dark stripes. Young Labrus bergylta are often bright emerald green. Labrus bergylta can grow up to 50 cm long but is rarely over 30 cm in length.
Identifying features
  • Heavy bodied wrasse.
  • Variable colouration; reddish, brownish red, greenish with white spots or irregular vertical stripes.
  • Young fish bright emerald green.
  • No external differences between sexes.
  • Maximum length 50 cm but usually about 30 cm.
Additional information icon Additional information

This review can be cited as follows:

Olwen Ager 2008. Labrus bergylta. Ballan wrasse. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 18/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesinformation.php?speciesID=3599>