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 from NBN: Labrus mixtus at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Labrus mixtus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Labrus mixtus at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Labrus mixtus Linnaeus, 1758. AphiaID: 151501.

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