Labrus mixtus - Marine Life Encyclopedia

Labrus mixtus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Cuckoo Wrasse

Labrus mixtus

Description: Members of the wrasse family have scaly bodies, long dorsal fins and robust, flattened teeth. The cuckoo wrasse is one of the most colourful fish that occurs in the seas around Britain and Ireland. It has a slender body and head and reaches a maximum length of 35cm. The female is rose-red to orange-red in colour with three or four black blotches interspersed by white blotches on the back, behind the dorsal fin. The male has brilliant iridescent blue on its head and blue lines and blotches along the body. Like many other wrasse species, the older females can change sex to become males with the characteristic iridescent blue coloration.

Habitat: Cuckoo wrasse are mainly found in rocky areas at depths below 10m. They feed on small crustaceans, worms and molluscs.

Distribution: This species is widespread all around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: The distinctive colour of this species readily distinguishes it from other wrasse species.

Key Identification Features:

Slender body and head
Females have 3-4 black blotches interspersed by white blotches on back
Males have iridescent blue heads and blue lines and blotches along the body.

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database

Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2016). Labrus mixtus (Linnaeus, 1758). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=ZG6100 Accessed on 2023-12-11

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