Labridae - Wrasses -- Discover Life

Labridae
WRASSES
Sheepheads

Wrasses are a diverse family occurring in a variety of environmental conditions including tidepools, rocky or coral reefs, weedbeds, and open sand bottoms. Most inhabit tropical and subtropical latitudes, but a significant number of species also dwell in cooler temperate seas. This large family contains approximately 60 genera and about 500 species, well over half of which are distributed in the Indo-Pacific region. There are 34 species from 10 genera known from the eastern Pacific. Thirty-one shallow water species (3 Indo-Pacific species, 1 Pacific species, and the remainder endemics) from 8 genera (1 endemic to the eastern Pacific) have been recorded from our region.

Diagnostic features include a single continuous dorsal fin, not obviously notched between the spinous and soft portions (some Xyrichtys have a few isolated spines at the front of the dorsal fin on the head), large smooth scales, and a continuous or broken lateral line. Dorsal spine counts of tropical species generally range from VIII to XIV and vary from flexible to stout and sharp-tipped. There is usually III anal spines (rarely II). The mouth is terminal in position and varies from small to moderate in size; the rear top jawbone is not visible on the cheek; there are usually well developed canine teeth at the front of the jaws that may project forward; there are rarely teeth on the roof of the mouth, but the grinding plates inside the throat are well developed.

Wrasses feed on a wide variety of items including zooplankton, fishes, and invertebrates such as polychaete worms, brittle stars, crabs and shrimps. Many also consume hard-shelled items such as molluscs and sea urchins, which are crushed with their pharyngeal teeth. Many of the larger wrasses are considered good eating. Labrids have an interesting reproductive biology that involves sex reversal. Initial stage adults are generally female, but are capable of changing into males. Many species have very different color patterns depending on the stage of the life cycle. Juveniles have either cryptic camouflage patterns or exhibit bright "poster" colors. They frequently possess one or more false eye spots (ocelli) on the median fins. Initial phase females are often somber shades of brown or green, or if a distinct pattern is present it is usually less attractive than that of the brightly colored terminal phase males. Spawning occurs in groups or in pairs. Males may instantaneously "flash" special nuptial colors and engage in aggressive chasing behavior in order to attract prospective mates. The resultant spawning frenzy culminates when eggs and sperm are released at the apex of a rapid ascent towards the surface.