Overview
Very colorful and fast fish, common on reefs and Posidonia.
Identification
Vivid colorsBlack bars on backLong dorsal finLarge eyesFan-shaped caudal finFleshy lipsSmall scalesNoticeable and contrasting lateral line
- Body
- Elongated, laterally compressed body.
- Colouration
- Bright coloring with green, blue, red, and yellow bands.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Not very noticeable
- Growth
- medium
Taxonomy
- Family
- Labridae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Symphodus rostratusSymphodus tincaLabrus mixtusCtenolabrus rupestrisCoris julis
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, reefs
- Preferred bottom
- reef, seagrass
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from the Portuguese coast to the Canary Islands.
- Micro-habitat
- Often found near rocks and seagrass, hiding in rock crevices.
Attached to habitats rich in natural hiding spots.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- crustaceans, mollusks, echinoderms
- Secondary prey
- small fish, algae
- Occasional prey
- plankton, fish eggs
- Feeding behaviour
- Uses its speed to actively hunt prey among rocks and algae.
- Natural predators
- groupers, moray eels, large pelagic fish
Diet varies according to season and availability.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- small_groups
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- residential
- Seasonal behaviour
- More active in the summer months when the water is warmer.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles tend to hide among algae to protect themselves from predators.
- Adults
- Adults are more territorial and defend their space among the rocks.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- May, June, July
- Spawning depth
- between 10 and 30 meters
- Eggs
- Small pelagic eggs.
- Larval stage
- Pelagic larvae develop in shallow waters.
- Sexual maturity
- 2-3 years
When to catch Ornate wrasse
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Daymattino, pomeriggio
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Very active and curious.
Medium
Regular activity.
High
Stays near bottom.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
13°COptimal zone: 17-26°C29°C
Preferred tide: high
Where to catch it
Best spots
rocky reefsseagrass areascoral barrierssandy bottoms mixed with rocks
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
spearfishinghandlininglight trollinginshore bottom fishing
Other applicable
Rock FishingLight Rock FishingSpinning UltraleggeroBolentino LeggeroBologneseBolognese LeggeraPesca A Fondo LeggeraPesca A GalleggianteRock Fishing MicroRock Fishing Notturno
Recommended baits
small crustaceanswormspieces of mollusksshrimp
Baits by pressure
Low
Shrimp artificiale (gomma)Jig head + softbaitSoftbait piccolo / LRF
Medium
Gambero morto / GamberoStriscia di calamaro
High
ArenicolaBigattinoVerme coreanoCozzaVerme americano
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Fights vigorously with quick jerks and sudden changes in direction.
- Handling
- Handle with care to avoid damaging its vibrant scales.
- Release
- Release near rocky bottoms to increase survival chances.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The peacock wrasse can reach a maximum length of about 25 cm, and although not often considered a record fish in sport fishing competitions, it's appreciated for its vivid colors in Mediterranean waters.
- In the kitchen
- Occasionally used in fish soups in Mediterranean cuisine.
- Cultural notes
- A symbol of liveliness and beauty in Mediterranean folk tales.
- Historical notes
- Considered of little commercial interest, mainly appreciated by sport fishermen.
