HomeMarine aquarium fishWrassesAxillary wrasse Axillary wrasse (Symphodus mediterraneus) Scientific name: Symphodus mediterraneus Linnaeus, 1758 The Axillary wrasse (Symphodus mediterraneus) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. Native range: Eastern Atlantic, Portugal to northern Morocco, including Azores and Madeira and also throughout the Mediterranean. BiologyAdults are found mainly in eel-grass beds. Often in pairs. Males nest-makers. Feed mainly on mollusks, gastropods, bivalves, tubicolous worms, chitons, sea urchins and bryozoans. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameSymphodus mediterraneusFamilyLabridae (Wrasses)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length18.0Common length12.0Depth range1–50 m (3–164 ft)EnvironmentMarine; demersal; depth range 1 - 50 mClimateSubtropicalDistributionEastern Atlantic: Portugal to northern Morocco, including Azores and Madeira and also throughout the Mediterranean.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercialResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.47-0.63; tm=2-3; tmax=8) More wrassesPearly razorfishXyrichtys novaculaBrown wrasseLabrus merulaSlender wrasseSuezichthys gracilisMarbled parrotfishLeptoscarus vaigiensisYellowbar parrotCalotomus zonarchusViridescent parrotfishCalotomus viridescensSee all wrasses SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026