Fish
Ballan wrasse
Labrus bergylta
Out of season
—
Fishing zones
Wild
Origin
35 cm
Minimum size
Description
Robust and massive body, slightly compressed. The head is large with thick, fleshy lips. Its coloration is extremely variable (polychromatism): it can be green, brown, or reddish, often mottled with white or dark spots. It has a single, very long dorsal fin. Carnivorous, it feeds mainly on crustaceans (crabs, shrimp) and mollusks (shellfish, gastropods), which it crushes using its powerful pharyngeal teeth. Size: Max 65.0 cm; max weight: 4.4 kg
Habitat
A marine and benthic species. It is found primarily in rocky coastal areas, reefs, and kelp beds. It lives at depths ranging from 1 to 50 meters, often hiding in crevices.
Distribution
Eastern Atlantic: from Norway to Morocco, including the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores. It is also found in the western Mediterranean Sea and the Adriatic Sea.