Size range
Most species are under 20 cm (7.9 in); the humphead wrasse can reach about 2.5 m (8.2 ft).
Wrasse
Wrasses are a diverse family of typically small, often brightly colored marine ray-finned fish found in many genera and subfamilies.
wrasses
Last Updated Mar 9, 2026 · 2 sources
Species Guide
What to know about wrasses
A clean field guide focused on habitat, identification, behavior, and conservation context without burying the useful parts.
Wrasses (family Labridae) are a large, diverse group of marine ray-finned fish, with over 600 species in 81 genera divided into eight subfamilies. Many species are brightly colored. Most wrasses are typically small (most less than 20 cm / 7.9 in), though the largest, the humphead wrasse, can reach about 2.5 m (8.2 ft). Wrasses are efficient carnivores feeding on a wide range of small invertebrates. Some smaller wrasses follow feeding trails of larger fish, picking up invertebrates disturbed by their passing. Juveniles of several genera (including Bodianus, Epibulus, Cirrhilabrus, Oxycheilinus, and Paracheilinus) may hide among the tentacles of free-living mushroom corals such as Heliofungia actiniformis.
Many smaller wrasses follow the feeding trails of larger fish, picking up invertebrates disturbed by their passing.
Efficient carnivores that feed on a wide range of small invertebrates.
The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Ari Atoll, Bayahibe and Dominicus, Bequia and countries such as Spain, French Polynesia, Maldives for divers building trips around wrasses.
Identification
How to identify wrasses
The visual markers divers can use underwater, plus the species most likely to cause confusion.
