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Longsnout wrasse (Symphodus rostratus) — Labridae

Longsnout wrasse

Symphodus rostratus
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Longsnout wrasse (Symphodus rostratus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
17.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The longsnout wrasse is a slender wrasse of the family Labridae reaching about 18 cm. Characteristic is the strikingly pointed, slightly upturned snout; the colour varies greatly, from green and brown to yellowish, and adapts to the surroundings of seagrass and weeds. The species lives mainly among seagrass beds and on weedy rock bottoms of the Mediterranean and the adjacent eastern Atlantic, from shallow to moderate depths. With its pointed snout it picks small crustaceans and invertebrates from among the plants. Like many wrasses it is a protogynous hermaphrodite. The male builds a nest of weeds among the seagrass and guards the eggs. Because of its small size it has no fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longsnout wrasse?

The Longsnout wrasse has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly green and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Longsnout wrasse live?

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

How big does the Longsnout wrasse get?

The Longsnout wrasse grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Longsnout wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Longsnout wrasse is harmless to humans.

Is the Longsnout wrasse edible?

The Longsnout wrasse is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Snuitlipvis inferred
English name
Longsnout wrasse verified
Scientific name
Symphodus rostratus
Family
Labridae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified
levensduur_max_jaar
4.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Symphodus

More from the family Labridae

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