Home · Labridae · Blacktail wrasse
Blacktail wrasse (Centrolabrus melanocercus) — Labridae

Blacktail wrasse

Centrolabrus melanocercus
Family: Labridae

The Blacktail wrasse (Centrolabrus melanocercus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The blacktail wrasse is a small wrasse (Labridae) from the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. The species grows to about 14 cm and has an elongate, brown-green body with a dark band at the tail base. As a reef-dweller it lives over rocky bottoms and seagrass beds and picks small invertebrates; juveniles sometimes act as cleaners, removing parasites from other fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blacktail wrasse?

The Blacktail wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Blacktail wrasse live?

The Blacktail wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blacktail wrasse get?

The Blacktail wrasse grows to a maximum of about 14 cm. On average the species is around 11 cm.

Is the Blacktail wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Blacktail wrasse is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartstaart-lipvis sourced
English name
Blacktail wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Centrolabrus melanocercus
Family
Labridae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Average length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Centrolabrus

More from the family Labridae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →