Ocellated Wrasse
Symphodus ocellatus
The Ocellated Wrasse is a small Mediterranean wrasse known for its bright breeding colors and the dark eye-spot on the dorsal fin. It lives in shallow coastal waters, where males guard nests and territories during spawning.
Identification points
- Distinct dark ocellus on the soft-rayed rear portion of the dorsal fin
- Slender wrasse body with a pointed snout and small terminal mouth
- Adults show variable green-brown to reddish coloration, with males often brighter and more patterned
Habitat
Shallow rocky reefs, seagrass beds, and algal zones in coastal marine waters, usually from the surface down to a few tens of meters.
Bait notes
Rarely targeted as a game fish, but small pieces of shrimp, mussel, squid, or worm can take it. Tiny soft plastics, bead-head nymphs, and small jigheads fished close to bottom can also work.
Behavior
A diurnal, bottom-oriented forager that picks small crustaceans, mollusks, and other benthic invertebrates from rocks and vegetation. Males are territorial in the breeding season and may guard nests and court females.
Caution
Handle carefully because wrasses can have sharp teeth and spiny dorsal fin rays. It is a small coastal species with no widely cited special consumption hazard, but local advisories should still be checked.
Fishing notes
Use ultra-light tackle and present baits near rocks, weed edges, and seagrass in calm water. Short casts, slow retrieves, and minimal weight are best; it is usually more of an incidental catch than a target species.