Ballan Wrasse

Body rather massive. Mouth small with thick lips and large conical teeth. Coloration very variable, brownish and greenish predominating (Ref. 35388).

Eggs are laid in nest built from algae; male guards nest 1-2 weeks until larvae hatch (Ref. 35388); larvae are pelagic.

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).

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).

fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial