Brown wrasse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brown wrasse |
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The brown wrasse (Labrus merula) is a type of fish called a wrasse. You can find it in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from Portugal down to Morocco, and also around the Azores islands. It lives in the Mediterranean Sea too. This fish can grow up to about 45 centimeters (18 inches) long, but most are usually around 40 centimeters (16 inches).
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What Does a Brown Wrasse Look Like?
A brown wrasse can grow up to 45 centimeters (18 inches) long. Its body is fairly long, and its head is wide. The head is usually about the same size as the fish's body height. You might notice light blue spots on its head.
This fish has strong, pointed teeth, like a dog's canine teeth. Older brown wrasse often have teeth that are more rounded.
Colors of the Brown Wrasse
Young brown wrasse are usually green or brownish. They have light spots and a lighter, yellowish-grey belly. Some young fish might even have a blue-white stripe along their sides.
As they get older, brown wrasse change color. They become dark blue, dark green, or sometimes dark brown. The edges of their back fin, bottom fin, and tail fin are often outlined with a light blue stripe.
How Brown Wrasse Behave
Smaller brown wrasse often swim together in small, loose groups. However, bigger and older brown wrasse usually prefer to live alone.
They like to eat sea urchins, starfish-like creatures called ophiuroids, mollusks (like snails), crabs, and worms.
Where Do Brown Wrasse Live?
The brown wrasse lives in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from Portugal to Morocco, including the Azores islands. It is also found throughout most of the Mediterranean Sea. However, you won't find it in the far eastern part of the Mediterranean, known as the Levantine Sea, or in the Black Sea.
Brown Wrasse Habitat
These fish like to live near reefs and rocks. They also hang out among seaweeds and in beds of seagrass. You can find them in shallow waters all the way down to about 50 meters (164 feet) deep.
Sometimes, their homes are threatened. For example, the special seagrass beds called Posidonia are shrinking. Even with these threats, the number of brown wrasse in the ocean doesn't seem to be going down much.
How People Catch Brown Wrasse
People catch brown wrasse for food in different ways.
Commercial Fishing
In local fishing, called artisanal fishing, brown wrasse are caught in small amounts. Fishermen use nets and longlines. They can catch them all year, but it's easier from spring to late autumn.
Fishing for Fun
If you like to fish for fun, you can often catch brown wrasse with a fishing rod and reel, or with a handline. Good bait for them includes different kinds of worms, small crabs, or even little pieces of other fish.
If brown wrasse are in shallow water, people sometimes use a speargun to catch them, especially the bigger ones.
Cooking Brown Wrasse
The meat of the brown wrasse is soft, tender, and easy to digest. It's also very tasty!
You can cook it in many ways. Many people think it's best when grilled on a barbecue. If you barbecue it, serve it with some olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and parsley. You can also boil it or add it to a mixed fish stew. Smaller brown wrasse are often fried.
