Least Concern· population trend unknown· assessed 2010

Ballan Wrasse

Labrus bergylta

Sighting evidence at Cabo Vilán Reef, Galicia

Photo: Carlos · CC BY-NC

The largest wrasse in the North Atlantic, ballan wrasse at Cabo Vilán reach impressive sizes thanks to the site's protection from fishing. These fish are sex-changers — all individuals are born female and the largest, most dominant individuals transition to male — giving a single dive site a fascinating cross-section of the species' life history.

Evidence at this site

4 records within 25 km

Confidence: low

Last confirmed Jul 2025

Seasonality

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How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Ballan Wrasse

Evidence at this site

Seasonality

Also seen at other sites