Fin's Fish Guide
The Ornate wrasse (Thalassoma pavo) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 25 cm.
Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic from Portugal to West Africa and the Macaronesian islands.
Description
The ornate wrasse is a brightly coloured reef fish of the family Labridae reaching about 25 cm. The species shows strong colour differences: females and juveniles are greenish with a row of blue cross-bars and a dark spot, while dominant males display a blue head with green and orange bands. Like many wrasses it is a protogynous hermaphrodite, with females able to change into males. It lives among rocks and seagrass in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic, usually to a few tens of metres, eating snails, crustaceans and sea urchins. At night and when threatened the fish quickly buries itself in the sand. With warming seas it is expanding northward.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Ornate wrasse?
The Ornate wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Brightly coloured reef fish with strong colour differences between the sexes; protogynous hermaphrodite in which females change into males.
Where does the Ornate wrasse live?
The Ornate wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic from Portugal to West Africa and the Macaronesian islands.
How big does the Ornate wrasse get?
The Ornate wrasse grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.
Is the Ornate wrasse dangerous to humans?
No, the Ornate wrasse is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Ornate wrasse edible?
The Ornate wrasse is rarely eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Ornate wrasse and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Thalassoma
More from the family Labridae
Want the complete picture on the Ornate wrasse?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Ornate wrasse is one of 12,519 species in the app.