Labridae Fishes: Wrasses

Labridae is one of the largest families of marine fishes, dividable into several subfamilies with about 90 genera and more than 500 species. Generally known as wrasses, they live in shallow water habitats ranging from rubble, sand, on or near coral and rocky or algae reefs to seagrasses. The majority of species occur in all tropical to subtropical seas in coastal waters and fewer in the more temperate zones.

Strictly marine, wrasses are diurnal ranging greatly in size from a just a few centimetres to two metres in length. They are often very colourful, sexually dimorphic, and most are carnivorous, feeding primarily on small invertebrates. Very few species have adapted to a herbivorous diet, but during a certain phase of their life cycle it often is supplemented with invertebrates or a change in diet takes place during their early stages of development. Some take small fishes and others became highly specialised, removing parasites of other fishes, the cleaner-wrasses.

In the process of evolution, speciation continues at various rates in different areas related to depth and conditions. Taxonomy of labroid fishes still needs clarification at many levels. Some of the issues, such as a questionable level of new or localised forms and the grey zones are dealt with in this book, and supported by discussions and illustrations.

The accumulation of observations, data and photographs over 30 years, and contributions by many underwater photographers and ichthyologist from around the world, has resulted in this most comprehensive illustrated guide on wrasses to date. The variations or different stages of the species – male, female, juvenile – are shown for numerous species, as well as the similarities between the populations from different geographical zones for some of the widely distributed species.

This book includes all the known wrasses that are likely to be seen by divers, traded as aquarium fishes, caught on line, as well as those that can be found in fish markets or being observed in deep water.  They are beautifully illustrated in full colour with thousands of photographs, the majority of which are swimming in their natural habitats.