Ballan Wrasse Labrus bergylta

Ballan Wrasse are native to the northeastern Atlantic from Norway/UK to Madeira/Morocco. They grow to some half a metre long.

Colour and pattern of adults is variable, ranging from reddish browns to greys and greens with spots and/or vertical bars. They have strong teeth to pull molluscs and barnacles from rocks.

Females and juveniles form groups. Large males are solitary or guarding a territory and harem. Like other wrasse, large females can transition to male if a male is lacking. They are cleaned by smaller Rock Cook Wrasse and, in turn, are used in aquaculture to clean parasites off farmed Salmon. They are threatened by overfishing and bycatch.