cuckoo wrasse

The cuckoo wrasse (Labrus mixtus) is a brilliantly colored European wrasse. Males are orange or yellow banded with bright blue, while females are reddish-brown blotched with black.1

Wrasses, belonging to the family Labridae, are marine fish found worldwide in tropical and temperate seas, often near coral reefs. They typically have elongated bodies, thick lips, smooth scales, and prominent teeth. Most wrasses are carnivorous, preying on marine invertebrates, though some smaller species act as cleaners, removing parasites from larger fish.2

Coloration in wrasses can vary significantly based on age and sex, with some species changing color upon transforming from female to male. While often abundant, wrasses are generally not of major commercial importance.2