Symphodus tinca (Linnaeus, 1758)
East Atlantic peacock wrasse
Symphodus tinca
photo by Patzner, R.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses)
Max. size:  44 cm SL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 15 years
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - 50 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Spain to Morocco including the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 15-15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 12-12
Biology:  Adults are found near rocks mainly in eel-grass beds, sometimes in salty lagoons. Often gregarious. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Nest of seaweed built and kept by male with one or more females spawning. Feed on sea urchins, ophiuroids, bivalves, shrimps and crabs (Ref. 4742). Rate of growth is slow (Ref. 4742). Undergoes sex reversal (Ref. 4742).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 July 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.