Fish
Merula
Labrus merula
Out of season
—
Fishing zones
Wild
Origin
20 cm
Minimum size
Description
The merula is a medium- to large-sized marine fish for a wrasse. Its body is robust and spindle-shaped, with a broad head and fleshy lips, characteristics typical of the genus Labrus.
Its coloration varies by age and sex; females and juveniles are generally olive green to brown, sometimes mottled, while adult males, particularly during the breeding season, have a dark blue to nearly black coloration, sometimes dotted with light blue spots.
The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are often edged with a blue border.
The maximum reported length is approximately 45 cm, with a more common size ranging from 35 to 40 cm.
Its coloration varies by age and sex; females and juveniles are generally olive green to brown, sometimes mottled, while adult males, particularly during the breeding season, have a dark blue to nearly black coloration, sometimes dotted with light blue spots.
The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are often edged with a blue border.
The maximum reported length is approximately 45 cm, with a more common size ranging from 35 to 40 cm.
Habitat
This is a marine, bentho-demersal species associated with reefs. It is mainly found on rocky bottoms, Posidonia seagrass beds, and areas rich in algae and crevices that serve as shelters.
Adults are generally observed around rocks and seagrass beds, with larger individuals sometimes living solitary lives, while juveniles may be more gregarious.
The species inhabits depths ranging from the coastal zone down to about 50 m, with frequent occurrences between 5 and 25 m.
Adults are generally observed around rocks and seagrass beds, with larger individuals sometimes living solitary lives, while juveniles may be more gregarious.
The species inhabits depths ranging from the coastal zone down to about 50 m, with frequent occurrences between 5 and 25 m.
Distribution
It is found in the eastern Atlantic, from Portugal to Morocco, around the Azores, and throughout the Mediterranean Sea.
It is therefore a species typical of the Mediterranean and the eastern Atlantic, absent from strictly tropical waters and areas of low salinity.
It is therefore a species typical of the Mediterranean and the eastern Atlantic, absent from strictly tropical waters and areas of low salinity.