Phylum: Chordata

Superclass: Gnathostomata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Family: Labridae

Scientific name: Centrolabrus exoletus

 

Norwegian: gressgylt

(Stord - Hordaland / 11 meters / 6.23.2004)

Distribution: Perhaps not the most frequent encounter along the Norwegian coast, but still the rock cook is not unusual as far north as Møre. It often seeks shelter among seaweeds and is rarely seen deeper than 25 meters.

Characteristics:  It may be confused with the more common corkwing wrasse, but lacks the dark spot behind the eye and at the base of the tale. This is a small wrasse, the length never exceeds 18 cm. The coloring is mostly orange, brown or green with blue or pink stripes and blotches.

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