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Cuckoo wrasse (Labrus mixtus) — Labridae

Cuckoo wrasse

Labrus mixtus
Family: Labridae

The Cuckoo wrasse (Labrus mixtus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–200.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Europe: Albania, Algeria, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegov., Croatia, Denmark and others
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The cuckoo wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from coastal waters of the northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean. The species grows to about 40 cm and is strongly differently coloured: males are blue with orange, females orange-red with a few black-and-white spots on the back. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches rocky reefs for molluscs and crustaceans. It changes sex: females can turn into males. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cuckoo wrasse?

The Cuckoo wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Cuckoo wrasse live?

The Cuckoo wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Europe: Albania, Algeria, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegov., Croatia, Denmark and others

How big does the Cuckoo wrasse get?

The Cuckoo wrasse grows to a maximum of about 40 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Cuckoo wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Cuckoo wrasse is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Cuckoo wrasse edible?

The Cuckoo wrasse is rarely eaten.

More photos

Cuckoo wrasse (Labrus mixtus) — Labridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Libby Keatley, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Cuckoo wrasse (Labrus mixtus) — Labridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) marsel mersinaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Cuckoo wrasse (Labrus mixtus) — Labridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Guido Schmitz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

Easily confused with

These species look like the Cuckoo wrasse and live in the same waters.

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All data

Identification

English name
Cuckoo wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Labrus mixtus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Cuckoo wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
200.0 verified
Natural range
Europe: Albania, Algeria, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegov., Croatia, Denmark and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
20.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Labrus

More from the family Labridae

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