Teleostei (teleosts) >
Eupercaria/misc (Various families in series Eupercaria) >
Labridae (Wrasses) > Labrinae
Etymology: Symphodus: Greek, syn, symphysis = grown together + Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Linnaeus.
Issue
See nomenclatural details in Eschmeyer (CofF ver. Oct. 2012: Ref. 92135).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 30 m. Subtropical; 47°N - 30°N, 6°W - 42°E
Eastern Atlantic: throughout the Mediterranean, Black Sea and Sea of Azov.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 4.0 range ? - ? cm
Max length : 18.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 122896); max. published weight: 81.69 g (Ref. 122896); max. reported age: 5 years (Ref. 4742)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Adults are found near rocks and eel-grass beds. A nest of seaweed (Cystoseria) built and kept by male. Feed on bryozoans, hydroids, tubicolous, worms, shrimps, amphipods and mollusks. Males grow faster than females (Ref. 4742). Undergoes sex reversal (Ref. 4742). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
Undergoes sex reversal (Ref. 4742). Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Males build dish shaped nests and guard the eggs (Ref. 205).
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)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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