Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Labridae
- Genus
- Labrus
- Species
- mixtus
Habitat
Cuckoo wrasses inhabit rocky reefs and areas with seaweed or crevices in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. They prefer depths from 5 to 200 meters, often in coastal waters with moderate currents. This species avoids sandy or open pelagic environments, favoring structures for hiding and foraging.
Diet
Cuckoo wrasses primarily eat small crustaceans, mollusks, and occasionally small fish or worms. They forage during the day by turning over rocks and using their strong teeth to crush shells. Feeding behavior is opportunistic, with peak activity in the morning and late afternoon.
Behavior
Cuckoo wrasses are generally solitary or found in small groups, with males being territorial especially during breeding seasons. They are diurnal, active swimmers that dart in and out of rock crevices for shelter. Notable behaviors include color-changing for camouflage and males performing courtship displays to attract females.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.