Corkwing Wrasse

The Corkwing Wrasse (Symphodus melops) is a small, colorful wrasse of the north-eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, common on weedy inshore reefs around the British Isles and western Europe. Males in breeding condition are especially vivid, with maze-like blue and orange lines across a green-brown body. It is a nest-building wrasse, with males constructing woven algal nests. Corkwing are protogynous, and some males adopt a female-mimicking 'sneaker' strategy. Their small size, comma mark behind the eye, and tail-base spot make them one of the more identifiable small European wrasses.

Look for these Corkwing Wrasse marks:

• Dark comma-shaped spot immediately behind the eye.
• Dark blotch on the tail base (caudal peduncle).
• Green-brown body with blue and orange wavy lines, brightest on breeding males.
• Small, oval body 12-20 cm long.

The combination of the eye 'comma' and tail-base spot separates it from the similar Rock Cook and Goldsinny wrasses.

Corkwing Wrasse live in shallow, sheltered rocky and weedy areas, including eelgrass beds, harbours, and rock pools, from near the surface to around 30 m. They are strongly associated with algae and structure, which provide both food and nesting material. The species ranges from Norway and the British Isles south to the Mediterranean and Azores, favouring warmer inshore microhabitats.

Corkwing Wrasse are diurnal and territorial during breeding. Nesting males build cup-shaped nests of algae wedged into crevices and defend them, courting females with vivid coloration. Smaller 'sneaker' males mimic female coloration to slip into nests. They forage over weed and rock for small crustaceans, molluscs, and other invertebrates. Like other temperate wrasses they become inactive and shelter among weed and rocks at night and during cold periods.