Labrus merula

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Superclassis/Classis: Actinopterygii
Classis/Subclassis: Actinopteri
Subclassis/Infraclassis: Neopterygii
Infraclassis: Teleostei
Megacohors: Osteoglossocephalai
Supercohors: Clupeocephala
Cohors: Euteleosteomorpha
Subcohors: Neoteleostei
Infracohors: Eurypterygia
Sectio: Ctenosquamata
Subsectio: Acanthomorphata
Divisio/Superordo: Acanthopterygii
Subdivisio: Percomorphaceae
Series: Eupercaria
Ordo: Labriformes

Familia: Labridae
Genus: Labrus
Species: Labrus merula
Name

Labrus merula Linnaeus, 1758
Holotype: No types known
Type locality: Europe

Synonyms

Labrus limbatus Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1839
Labrus lineolatus Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1839
Labrus livens Linnaeus, 1758
Labrus nereus Risso, 1810
Labrus psittacus Risso, 1827
Labrus saxorum Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1839
Labrus turdus Linnaeus, 1758

References

Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema Naturae per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis, Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata. Holmiæ: impensis direct. Laurentii Salvii. i–ii, 1–824 pp DOI: 10.5962/bhl.title.542: 288. Open access Reference page.
Parenti, P. & J.E. Randall 2000: An annotated checklist of the species of the Labroid fish families Labridae and Scaridae. Ichthyological Bulletin of the J. L. B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, 68: 1–97.
Labrus merula in FishBase,
Froese, R. & Pauly, D. (eds.) 2024. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication, www.fishbase.org, version 02/2024.
Labrus merula in the World Register of Marine Species

Vernacular names
català: Tord massot
Deutsch: Amsel-Lippfisch
English: Brown wrasse
español: Merlo
français: Merle;Labre-merle
galego: Pinto
italiano: Tordo merlo
Nederlands: Bruine lipvis
polski: Wargacz merula
Türkçe: Çil balığı
українська: Губань бурий

The brown wrasse (Labrus merula) is a species of wrasse native to the Eastern Atlantic from Portugal to Morocco, including the Azores, as well as in the Mediterranean Sea. This species can reach 45 cm (18 in) in standard length, though most do not exceed more than 40 cm (16 in).
Description

Labrus merula grows to a maximum length of 45 cm (18 in).

Body is moderately elongated, head is broad, shorter or equal to the body depth, with light blue spots. It has strong, canine-like teeth which are rounded in older specimens.

Young specimens are green or brownish with light spots, belly is paler, yellow-greyish. Some specimens have a blue-white longitudinal stripe on sides. Old specimens are dark blue, sometimes dark green or brownish. Soft part of dorsal, anal and caudal fins are outlined with light blue stripe.

Smaller specimens form small, loose schools, but larger and older specimens are found solitary.

It feeds on sea urchins, ophiuroids, mollusks, crabs and worms.

Maturity occurs after two years at lengths between 15 cm (5.9 in) and 20 cm (7.9 in). At age of 7, males measure around 31.5 cm (12.4 in) and females around 30 cm (12 in). Maximum age is around 16–17 years.

This species spawns from February to May in the western Mediterranean Sea. Demersal eggs are laid amongst rocks and seagrasses and are protected by the males.

It is important to local populations as a food fish and can also be found in the aquarium trade.[2]
Distribution and habitat

The brown wrasse can be found in Eastern Atlantic from Portugal to Morocco, including the Azores, as well as in the Mediterranean Sea, throughout the entire area except for the eastern Levantine and Black Sea.

It can be found on reefs around rocks, amongst seaweeds and in seagrass beds between shallows and 50 m (160 ft).

Threats to this species include habitat degradation, specifically the reduction of Posidonia seagrass beds, however, the population has not shown any serious signs of decline.
Fishing

In artisanal fishing it is often caught in small quantities using nets and longlines, all year long, but much better from the Spring to the end of the Autumn.

In recreational fishing it is often caught on rod and reel and on the handline. As bait, various worms and crabs can be used, as well as small chunks of fish.

When found in the shallows, it can be caught using a speargun, especially larger specimens.
Cuisine

Meat is soft, tender, easy to digest and very tasty. It can be prepared in numerous ways, but it is best barbequed and served with some olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and parsley. Also, it can be boiled or prepared as part of mixed fish stew. Small specimens are fried.
References

Pollard, D. (2010). "Labrus merula". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T187541A8562713. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187541A8562713.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2019). "Labrus merula" in FishBase. August 2019 version.