Amy Falcão
Name: Perciformes (Greek, "perc" = perch)
Labridae (Latin, "labrum" = lip)
Taxonomy
Superclass: Gnathostomata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Families: ~156
Labridae (Wrasses): ~60 genera, ~500 species
Description: Genera and species in this family have highly variable body shape, size, and color.
However most species have bright colors in intricate patterns which is what the family is known
for. Fish in this family have large/moderate cycloid scales with either a continuous or
interrupted lateral line. They have a long dorsal fin with 8-21 spines and 6-21 soft rays. The anal
fin is also fairly long in relation to the body with 4-6 spines and 7-18 soft rays. Their mouths are
capable of being thrust outward (protractile) with jaw teeth that jut outward with gaps
between them, another distinguishing feature of the family. Members of the Gomphosus genus
have elongated snouts.
Habitat: Marine
Distribution: Found in all tropical, marine ecosystems of the India, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans.
Ecology and Life History: Typically members of this family borrow in the sand for their food.
Some are carnivores on invertebrates and a few are planktivores. There are some very small
species that will feed off of the ectoparasites of larger fish. Several fish in the family will bury
themselves under the sand. Mostly use their pectorals for movement and utilize the caudal fin
for getaways. Species found in the Indian and Pacific oceans spawn in pelagic ecosystems.
Additional Details: Members of this family have the ability to change sex and color as they
grow, the colors of which indicate the sex and the stage of the fishes life. Very good aquaria
species and large members of the family can be used as a good food source.
Recent Research:
Wainwright, P. C. 1987. Biomechanical limits to ecological performance: mollusc-crushing by
the Caribbean hogfish, Lachnolaimus maximus (Labridae). Journal of Zoology 213: 283–297.
References Used:
Nelson, J.S., 1994. Family Labridae - Wrasses. Fishbase (web). Accessed March 2013.
http://fishbase.fishinfo.cn/Summary/FamilySummary.php?ID=362
Animal World. 2012. Wrasses. Animal-World: Pet and Animal Information (web). Accessed March 2013.
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/marine/wrasses/wrasses.php