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Overview
Brief Summary
The ballan wrasse lives in warm waters and migrates to the north in the summer. When they return again in the winter because the water in the north is too cold, they sometimes stay awhile in the North Sea. That is why they are occassionally caught by fishermen. Ballan wrasse like rocks and make their nest in the crevices. This nest is fastened with threads of slime. These fish are are born as females but change into males after around ten years.
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Comprehensive Description
Biology
Adults are found in littoral (10-20 m) zone around rocks, offshore reefs, and seaweed. Young often in intertidal areas. All are born females and change sex when they are 4-14 years old (Ref. 35388). One (or more) female spawns in nest of algae, built by male in a crevice. Feed on crustaceans and mollusks (Ref. 4742). Oviparous (Ref. 205).
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Quignard, J.-P. and A. Pras 1986 Labridae. p. 919-942. In P.J.P. Whitehead, M.-L. Bauchot, J.-C. Hureau, J. Nielsen and E. Tortonese (eds.) Fishes of the north-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. UNESCO, Paris. Vol. 2. (Ref. 4742)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=4742&speccode=55
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Description
Labrus bergylta is a heavy bodied wrasse with a broad head, small mouth and thick lips. The colouration of this wrasse is variable but there are no external differences between the sexes. The body, head and fins are often brownish red or reddish with numerous small white spots but can be greenish with white spots or irregular large vertical dark stripes. Young Labrus bergylta are often bright emerald green. Labrus bergylta can grow up to 50 cm long but is rarely over 30 cm in length.
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Description
The ballan wrasse is the largest of the European wrasse species reaching a maximum length of 60cm. It is a heavily built fish with a deep-sided body, large head, fleshy lips and pointed snout. The coloration is very variable and depends on the age and reproductive state. Young fish which inhabit rockpools on the low shore are often emerald green whilst adults are usually mottled greenish-brown or occasionally reddish with paler spots. The scales of this species are often conspicuous as each has a dark rim and a pale centre, giving the fish an overall spotty appearance. The large size of the ballan wrasse and the characteristic deep, bulky body distinguish it from other wrasse species.
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Distribution
Azores Exclusive Economic Zone, Baltic sea, Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone, British Isles, Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone, European waters (ERMS scope), Greek Exclusive Economic Zone, Irish Exclusive economic Zone, Mediterranean Sea, Nordhinter, North Africa, North East Atlantic, Oosterschelde, Portuguese Exclusive Economic Zone, Southern Bight, Spanish Exclusive Economic Zone, Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone, United Kingdom Exclusive Economic Zone, Wimereux
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Müller, Y. (2004). Faune et flore du littoral du Nord, du Pas-de-Calais et de la Belgique: inventaire. [Coastal fauna and flora of the Nord, Pas-de-Calais and Belgium: inventory]. Commission Régionale de Biologie Région Nord Pas-de-Calais: France. 307 pp.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=9269
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Hayward, P.J.; Ryland, J.S. (Ed.) (1990). The marine fauna of the British Isles and North-West Europe: 1. Introduction and protozoans to arthropods. Clarendon Press: Oxford, UK. ISBN 0-19-857356-1. 627 pp.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=1
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Hamerlynck, O.; Hostens, K. (1994). Changes in the fish fauna of the Oosterschelde estuary: a ten-year time series of fyke catches. Hydrobiologia 282-283: 497-507
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=1143
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Poll, M. (1943). Poissons marins intéressants ou nouveaux pour la faune de la Côte Belge. Bull. Mus. royal d'Hist. Nat. Belg./Med. Kon. Natuurhist. Mus. Belg. 19(13): 1-20
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=1638
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ILVO epifauna en demersale visdata: epifauna en demersale vismonitoring op het Belgisch deel van de Noordzee sinds 1979
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=132964
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van der Land, J.; Costello, M.J.; Zavodnik, D.; Santos, R.S.; Porteiro, F.M.; Bailly, N.; Eschmeyer, W.N.; Froese, R. (2001). Pisces, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 357-374
http://www.marbef.org/data/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=1411
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MEDIN (2011). UK checklist of marine species derived from the applications Marine Recorder and UNICORN, version 1.0.
http://www.marinespecies.org/asteroidea/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=149081
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Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2011). Species.ie version 1.0 World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (version of 15 March 2010).
http://www.marinespecies.org/ascidiacea/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=149068
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Borges, P.A.V., Costa, A., Cunha, R., Gabriel, R., Gonçalves, V., Martins, A.F., Melo, I., Parente, M., Raposeiro, P., Rodrigues, P., Santos, R.S., Silva, L., Vieira, P. & Vieira, V. (Eds.) (2010). A list of the terrestrial and marine biota from the Azores. Princípia, Oeiras, 432 pp.
http://www.marinespecies.org/ascidiacea/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=149079
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Ramos, M. (ed.). 2010. IBERFAUNA. The Iberian Fauna Databank
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=149024
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Koukouras, Athanasios. (2010). Check-list of marine species from Greece. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Assembled in the framework of the EU FP7 PESI project.
http://www.marinespecies.org/asteroidea/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=142068
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Dyntaxa (2013) Swedish Taxonomic Database. Accessed at www.dyntaxa.se [15-01-2013].
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=165516
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World Register of Marine Species
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Eastern Atlantic: Norway to Morocco, including Madeira, the Azores and the Canary Islands. Doubtful records from Mediterranean, Adriatic and Marmara seas (Ref. 4742).
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Gomon, M.F. and P. Forsyth 1990 Labridae. p. 868-882. In J.C. Quero, J.C. Hureau, C. Karrer, A. Post and L. Saldanha (eds.) Check-list of the fishes of the eastern tropical Atlantic (CLOFETA). JNICT, Lisbon, SEI, Paris; and UNESCO, Paris. Vol. 2. (Ref. 5292)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=5292&speccode=7633
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Range Description
In the Eastern Atlantic, this species is present from Norway to Morocco, including the Azores, Madeira, Selvagens and the Canary Islands.
In the Mediterranean Sea, there are some questionable records from the Adriatic and Marmara Seas and elsewhere (Quignard and Pras 1986). It is absent from the Levant (Golani et al. 2006).
In the Mediterranean Sea, there are some questionable records from the Adriatic and Marmara Seas and elsewhere (Quignard and Pras 1986). It is absent from the Levant (Golani et al. 2006).
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Baltic Sea, North Sea, Mediterranean Sea, eastern Atlantic: Norway to Morocco including Madeira.
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This species is widespread all around the coasts of Britain and Ireland.
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Physical Description
Size
Max. size
65.9 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 40637)); max. published weight: 4,350 g (Ref. 40637); max. reported age: 29 years (Ref. 6843)
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IGFA 2001 Database of IGFA angling records until 2001. IGFA, Fort Lauderdale, USA. (Ref. 40637)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=40637&speccode=943
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Dipper, F.A., C.R. Bridges and A. Menz 1977 Age, growth and feeding in the ballan wrasse, Labrus bergylta Ascanius 1767. J. Fish Biol. 11:105-120. (Ref. 6843)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=6843&speccode=572
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Diagnostic Description
Body rather massive. Mouth small with thick lips and large conical teeth. Coloration very variable, brownish and greenish predominating (Ref. 35388).
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Muus, B.J. and J.G. Nielsen 1999 Sea fish. Scandinavian Fishing Year Book, Hedehusene, Denmark. 340 p. (Ref. 35388)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=35388&speccode=37
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Ecology
Habitat
Environment
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 50 m (Ref. 5292), usually 2 - 30 m (Ref. 35388)
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Muus, B.J. and J.G. Nielsen 1999 Sea fish. Scandinavian Fishing Year Book, Hedehusene, Denmark. 340 p. (Ref. 35388)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=35388&speccode=37
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Gomon, M.F. and P. Forsyth 1990 Labridae. p. 868-882. In J.C. Quero, J.C. Hureau, C. Karrer, A. Post and L. Saldanha (eds.) Check-list of the fishes of the eastern tropical Atlantic (CLOFETA). JNICT, Lisbon, SEI, Paris; and UNESCO, Paris. Vol. 2. (Ref. 5292)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=5292&speccode=7633
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Habitat and Ecology
Habitat and Ecology
Systems
This species is found mainly in inshore waters (10-20 m depth) around rocks, offshore reefs and amongst seaweeds. Young individuals are often found in intertidal areas. It feeds on crustaceans and molluscs (Quignard and Pras 1986).
All individuals are born females, and they change sex when they are between four and 14 years old (Muus and Nielsen 1999). One (or more) females spawn in a nest built of algae by the male in a rocky crevice. The male guards the nest for one to two weeks until the eggs hatch (Muus and Nielsen 1999). The larvae are pelagic.
All individuals are born females, and they change sex when they are between four and 14 years old (Muus and Nielsen 1999). One (or more) females spawn in a nest built of algae by the male in a rocky crevice. The male guards the nest for one to two weeks until the eggs hatch (Muus and Nielsen 1999). The larvae are pelagic.
Systems
- Marine
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Depth range based on 571 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 113 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 113
Temperature range (°C): 9.022 - 12.270
Nitrate (umol/L): 4.757 - 10.273
Salinity (PPS): 34.355 - 35.382
Oxygen (ml/l): 5.854 - 6.358
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.335 - 0.697
Silicate (umol/l): 2.311 - 4.593
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 113
Temperature range (°C): 9.022 - 12.270
Nitrate (umol/L): 4.757 - 10.273
Salinity (PPS): 34.355 - 35.382
Oxygen (ml/l): 5.854 - 6.358
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.335 - 0.697
Silicate (umol/l): 2.311 - 4.593
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 113 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 113
Temperature range (°C): 9.022 - 12.270
Nitrate (umol/L): 4.757 - 10.273
Salinity (PPS): 34.355 - 35.382
Oxygen (ml/l): 5.854 - 6.358
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.335 - 0.697
Silicate (umol/l): 2.311 - 4.593
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 113
Temperature range (°C): 9.022 - 12.270
Nitrate (umol/L): 4.757 - 10.273
Salinity (PPS): 34.355 - 35.382
Oxygen (ml/l): 5.854 - 6.358
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.335 - 0.697
Silicate (umol/l): 2.311 - 4.593
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
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Labrus bergylta is found in inshore waters amongst weed covered rocks or in lower shore pools. It is also found in the algal zone on rocky coasts from 5-30 m
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Depth: 1 - 50m.
From 1 to 50 meters.
Habitat: reef-associated. Littoral (10 - 20 m) around rocks, offshore reefs, and seaweed. Young often in intertidal areas. One (or more) female spawns in nest of algae, built by male in a crevice. Feed on crustaceans and molluscs (Ref. 4742).
From 1 to 50 meters.
Habitat: reef-associated. Littoral (10 - 20 m) around rocks, offshore reefs, and seaweed. Young often in intertidal areas. One (or more) female spawns in nest of algae, built by male in a crevice. Feed on crustaceans and molluscs (Ref. 4742).
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The ballan wrasse is usually found in the vicinity of steep rock faces or boulder slopes at depths down to 30m. Emerald green juveniles are occasionally found in seaweed covered rockpools on the low shore. The diet consists mainly of molluscs that live attached to the seabed e.g. mussels (Mytilus edulis) and crustaceans.
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Trophic Strategy
Littoral (10 - 20 m) around rocks, offshore reefs, and seaweed. Young often in intertidal areas. One (or more) female spawns in nest of algae, built by male in a crevice. Feed on crustaceans, molluscs (Ref. 4742) and sea urchins (Ref. 55064). Important predators of sea urchins in Azorean coastal habitats (Ref. 55064).
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Quignard, J.-P. and A. Pras 1986 Labridae. p. 919-942. In P.J.P. Whitehead, M.-L. Bauchot, J.-C. Hureau, J. Nielsen and E. Tortonese (eds.) Fishes of the north-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. UNESCO, Paris. Vol. 2. (Ref. 4742)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=4742&speccode=55
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Life History and Behavior
Life Cycle
Eggs are laid in nest built from algae; male guards nest 1-2 weeks until larvae hatch (Ref. 35388; larvae are pelagic.
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Dipper, F.A., C.R. Bridges and A. Menz 1977 Age, growth and feeding in the ballan wrasse, Labrus bergylta Ascanius 1767. J. Fish Biol. 11:105-120. (Ref. 6843)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=6843&speccode=572
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Life Expectancy
Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
Maximum longevity: 29 years
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AnAge
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Molecular Biology and Genetics
Molecular Biology
Barcode data: Labrus bergylta
The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.
There are 10 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank. Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species. See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.
Download FASTA File
There are 10 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank. Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species. See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.
AAAGATATTGGCACCCTTTATCTCGTATTTGGCGCTTGAGCCGGAATGGTAGGCACTGCTTTA---AGTTTGCTCATTCGAGCAGAACTTAGCCAACCAGGGGCCCTCCTCGGAGAT---GACCAAATTTACAACGTAATCGTCACGGCACATGCGTTCGTAATAATTTTCTTTATAGTAATACCAATTATAATCGGGGGCTTCGGGAACTGACTTATCCCCCTAATG---ATTGGGGCTCCCGATATGGCTTTCCCTCGAATAAACAACATGAGCTTCTGACTCCTCCCCCCCTCCTTCCTCCTCCTCCTCGCCTCTTCTGGGGTAGAAGCCGGAGCAGGCACCGGATGAACAGTATACCCCCCTCTAGCAGGAAACCTGGCCCACGCGGGAGCATCCGTTGATCTC---ACTATCTTTTCCCTTCACCTAGCAGGTATCTCTTCAATTTTAGGCGCTATTAATTTTATTACAACCATTATTAACATGAAACCCCCTGCCATCTCACAATATCAGACCCCTCTGTTTGTATGATCCGTGCTGATCACCGCTGTCCTACTCCTCCTCTCACTTCCTGTTCTTGCAGCT---GGTATCACAATGCTCCTCACAGATCGCAACCTTAACACCACCTTCTTTGACCCTGCTGGAGGCGGAGATCCTATTCTTTACCAACMCCTGTTCTGATTTTTT
-- end --
-- end --
Download FASTA File
© Barcode of Life Data Systems
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Statistics of barcoding coverage: Labrus bergylta
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 12
Specimens with Barcodes: 15
Species With Barcodes: 1
Public Records: 12
Specimens with Barcodes: 15
Species With Barcodes: 1
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Conservation
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List Assessment
Red List Category
LC
Least Concern
Red List Criteria
Version
3.1
Year Assessed
2010
Assessor/s
Pollard, D.
Reviewer/s
Sadovy, Y. & Carpenter, K.E.
Contributor/s
Justification
This species is widespread in the northeast Atlantic and there appears to be no major threats to this species. It is therefore listed as Least Concern.
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Trends
Population
Population
Population Trend
There was apparently a decrease in the Turkish population during the 1970s (M. Bilecenoglu pers. comm. 2007) but this may have been misidentifications of L. viridis.
Population Trend
Unknown
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Threats
Least Concern (LC)
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IUCN 2006 2006 IUCN red list of threatened species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded July 2006.
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=57073
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Major Threats
There are no major threats known for this species.
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IUCN
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Management
Conservation Actions
Conservation Actions
There are no specific conservation measures in place for this species.
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IUCN
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Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems
Benefits
Importance
fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial
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International Game Fish Association 1991 World record game fishes. International Game Fish Association, Florida, USA. (Ref. 4699)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=4699&speccode=2590
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Burgess, W.E., H.R. Axelrod and R.E. Hunziker III 1990 Dr. Burgess's atlas of marine aquarium fishes. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey. 768 p. (Ref. 9210)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=9210&speccode=3756
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Muus, B. and P. Dahlström 1978 Meeresfische der Ostsee, der Nordsee, des Atlantiks. BLV Verlagsgesellschaft, München. 244 p. (Ref. 4645)
http://www.fishbase.org/references/FBRefSummary.php?id=4645&speccode=23
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Wikipedia
Ballan wrasse
The ballan wrasse or simply wrasse, Labrus bergylta, is a wrasse of the northeastern Atlantic Ocean.[1] Its maximum length is 66 cm. All ballan wrasses are female for their first eight years before a few change into males. Large ballans are almost certainly male.
It is popular as a food fish in the Orkney Islands and in Galway.[2]
In recent years, it has become a popular catch-and-release target for sport fishermen using light fishing tackle, particularly those employing soft plastic lures.[3]
It can also be used to clean sea lice from Norwegian farmed salmon;[4] the technique is also being trialled in Scotland.[5]
References [edit]
- ^ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2005). "Labrus bergylta" in FishBase. May 2005 version.
- ^ Alan Davidson, North Atlantic Seafood, 1979, ISBN 0-670-51524-8.
- ^ David Erwin, Bernard Picton, "Guide to Inshore Marine Life" The Marine Conservation Society 1987 ISBN - 907151 345
- ^ http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100423215021.htm
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-19878554
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