Brown wrasse

{{Short description|Species of fish}} {{Speciesbox | image = Merula1.jpg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 20 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Pollard, D. |date=2010 |title=''Labrus merula'' |volume=2010 |article-number=e.T187541A8562713 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187541A8562713.en |access-date=20 November 2021}}</ref> | taxon = Labrus merula | authority = Linnaeus, 1758 | synonyms = * ''Labrus livens'' Linnaeus, 1758 * ''Labrus nereus'' A. Risso, 1810 * ''Labrus psittacus'' A. Risso, 1827 * ''Labrus limbatus'' Valenciennes, 1839 * ''Labrus saxorum'' Valenciennes, 1839 * ''Labrus lineolatus'' Valenciennes, 1839 | synonyms_ref = <ref name = Fishbase>{{Fishbase|Labrus|merula|month=August|year=2019}}</ref> }}

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 {{convert|45|cm|in|abbr=on}} in standard length, though most do not exceed more than {{convert|40|cm|in|abbr=on}}.

==Description== ''Labrus merula'' grows to a maximum length of {{convert|45|cm|in|abbr=on}}.

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 {{convert|15|cm|in|abbr=on}} and {{convert|20|cm|in|abbr=on}}. At age of 7, males measure around {{convert|31.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} and females around {{convert|30|cm|in|abbr=on}}. 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.<ref name = Fishbase/>

==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 {{convert|50|m|feet|abbr=on}}.

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== The fish's meat is soft and tender. Larger specimens may be barbequed or eaten in a soup; small specimens are fried.

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commonscat}} * [http://www.faoadriamed.org/pdf/publications/TD15/WP_DulcicB.pdf Review of Croatian selected scientific literature on species mostly exploited by the national small-scale fisheries] PDF file on FAOAdriaMed.org * {{sealifephotos|126967}}

Category:Labrus Category:Fish described in 1758 Category:Fish of Africa Category:Fish of the Atlantic Ocean Category:Fish of Europe Category:Fish of the Mediterranean Sea Category:Animal taxa named by Carl Linnaeus