Description: This species is the smallest wrasse that occurs in the waters around Britain and Ireland. Adults can grow to 18cm in length but are seldom more than 12cm. It has a slender body with a pointed head, small mouth and relatively large eye. It is usually pale orange or orange-red in colour with a black patch at the base of the first few dorsal fin rays and also a conspicuous black spot just behind the dorsal fin, in front of the tail.

Habitat: The goldsinny is usually found in rocky or boulder areas where there are numerous crevices in which to hide. It is most common at depths between 10-50m but occasionally it occurs in rockpools on the low shore. It is thought to feed on a diet of small crustaceans and molluscs.

Distribution: The goldsinny is widely distributed around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: The slender body and small size of this wrasse together with the distinctive coloration make it readily identifiable.

Key Identification Features:

• Small, slender body
• Pale orange to orange-red colour
• Black spot on first few rays of dorsal fin and also in front of the tail

Distribution Map from NBN: Ctenolabrus rupestris at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Ctenolabrus rupestris at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Ctenolabrus rupestris at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Ctenolabrus rupestris (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 126964.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Chordata; Vertebrata; Gnathostomata; Osteichthyes; Actinopterygii; Actinopteri; Teleostei; Eupercaria incertae sedis; Labridae; Ctenolabrus