Goldsinny wrasse

The goldsinny wrasse (Ctenolabrus rupestris) is a species of ray-finned fish, a wrasse from the family Labridae which is native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean and associated seas. This species is the only known member of its genus.

Habitat

The goldsinny wrasse is normally found in areas dominated by rock or by boulders and requires there to be many crevices for it to hide in. It is most frequently recorded at depths of between 10–50 metres (33–164 ft) but it is infrequently recorded in rockpools near the low water mark. Their diet consists of bryozoan, small crustaceans and molluscs. it is often associated with beds of algae and eelgrass. These wrasses attain maturity at two years of age, with the life span being up to eight years, and they do not display sexual dimorphism. spawning takes place from the winter into summer. When breeding the males defend territories. Spawning happens in mid water and when the pelagic eggs hatch the larvae are planktonic.

Distribution

The goldsinny wrasse is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean from Norway south as far as Morocco. It is also found throughout the western and central Mediterranean Sea as far as Antalya in Turkey, but it is absent from the far eastern Mediterranean. It extends through the Sea of Marmara into the Black Sea.