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FISH GUIDE · Sea

Ornate wrasse: identification, habitat and fishing guide

Thalassoma pavo

A slender coastal wrasse with blue reticulation on its head.

Catalogue names : Ornate wrasse. Forms and names may vary between habitats.

Editorial review : · This species guide is not permission to fish. Read the precautions below and check the current rules for your location before targeting a species. Some species or populations are protected.

Geographical distribution

Documented presence includes: Mediterranean Sea ; eastern Atlantic, from Portugal to Gabon ; Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands. The source excludes the Black Sea.

  • Documented presence : Mediterranean Sea
  • Documented presence : eastern Atlantic, from Portugal to Gabon
  • Documented presence : Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands

Documented areas, not an exhaustive list. Presence in a region does not imply presence in every water body or permission to fish.

Distribution sources

Identification

Lyre-shaped tail in larger individuals; colours differ with life stage.

Thalassoma pavo is a species distinct from the East Atlantic peacock wrasse. Young fish have different colours and do not necessarily show the adults’ reticulated head.

Habitat

Coastal waters, rocks and Posidonia beds.

Diet

Crustaceans, molluscs and worms from the substrate.

Behaviour

It may bury itself in sand at night or when threatened.

CNR describes mainly daytime activity for this group.

Indicative biological size

Generally 10–20 cm according to DORIS; a descriptive range.

Fishing context and precautions

The CNR-IRBIM manual includes this species among wrasses caught incidentally on natural bait, on the bottom or suspended, with Bolognese float or bottom tackle from rocks and quays. Collective advice, without a species-specific rig or implied French permission.

At Palma in 2007, Alós and colleagues caught 3 Thalassoma pavo on marine worms using three snoods and a terminal weight over Posidonia. This trial establishes rod-and-line capture without providing universal settings or a species-specific survival estimate.

Prepare a non-abrasive landing net and an unhooking tool. General Cap de Creus advice calls for keeping fish wet and avoiding gills and eyes; it does not measure survival in this wrasse. Check local rules.

A distinctive feature

Young fish may clean parasites from other fish.

Sources and review

Each reference includes its access date. Overall editorial review: . Local conditions and regulations may change.

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