Goldsinny wrasse

Goldsinny wrasse
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Suborder:	Labroidei
Family:	Labridae
Genus:	Ctenolabrus Valenciennes, 1839
Species:	C. rupestris
Binomial name
Ctenolabrus rupestris (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms
Genus: Cynaedus Swainson, 1839 Species: Labrus rupestris Linnaeus, 1758 Ctenolabrus suillus (Linnaeus, 1758) (ambiguous name)

The goldsinny wrasse (Ctenolabrus rupestris) is a species of wrasse native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea where they inhabit weedy, rocky reefs at depths from 1 to 50 m (3.3 to 164.0 ft), though rarely below 20 m (66 ft). This species is the only known member of its genus.

Description

The goldsinny wrasse can reach a total length of 18 cm (7.1 in), though most do not exceed 11 cm (4.3 in). It has a reddish-brown upper body with a paler belly. A black spot is on top at the start of the tail fin, and an additional black spot occurs at the start of the dorsal fin which is often indistinct.

Human uses

The goldsinny wrasse is fond of sea lice and has been used to clean salmon in commercial farms together with the Ballan wrasse. Both these wrasses are not easy to retain in the salmon farms, as they escape through the nets, being significantly smaller than the salmon. This species is caught as a food fish by local indigenous peoples and is popular as a game fish. It is also a popular fish for display in public aquaria.