What is "ballan wrasse"

The Ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta) is a species of wrasse native to the northeastern Atlantic Ocean from Norway to Morocco, including the islands of Madeira, the Azores and the Canary Islands. They can be found at depths from amongst rocks, seaweed and reefs. It can grow to in total length (though most do not exceed standard length), and the greatest recorded weight of this species is . All Ballan wrasses are female for their first four to 14 years before a few change into males. Large Ballan wrasses are almost certainly male.

This species is popular as a food fish in the Orkney Islands and in Galway, although it is not highly regarded as a food fish in much of the UK and Ireland.

In recent years, it has become a popular catch-and-release target for sport fishermen using light fishing tackle, particularly those employing soft plastic lures.

It can also be used to clean sea lice from Norwegian farmed salmon; the technique is also being developed in Scotland.

This species can also be found in the aquarium trade.