Depth
Symphodus · Bony Fish

Blacktailed Wrasse

Symphodus melanocercus

1-25m
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
1-25m
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Rocky Reef
Habitat
Carnivore
Diet
Solitary
Social
LC
IUCN Status
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Symphodus
Species melanocercus

Bony Fish

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationSmall wrasse with an elongated body. Males have a greenish body with blue highlights and a prominent dark blotch or band on the tail. Females are brownish.
  • SizeUp to 14 cm total length, commonly 8 to 12 cm.
  • Social HabitSolitary or in small groups near rocky cover. Males territorial during breeding season.
  • HabitatRocky reefs, seagrass beds, and mixed substrate areas with algal cover.
  • Depth2 to 50 m, most common between 5 and 25 m.
  • Feeds OnSmall crustaceans, molluscs, and worms foraged from rock and algae surfaces.
  • DistributionMediterranean Sea and nearby eastern Atlantic coast.
  • DescriptionA small, often overlooked wrasse distinguished by the dark mark on its tail. Like most Mediterranean wrasses, it is a protogynous hermaphrodite. Females are drab and easily confused with other small Symphodus species, but breeding males show attractive green and blue colours.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

Found across the Mediterranean, inhabiting rocky reef environments. Active from the surface down to 25m depth.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

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Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Rocky Reef habitats, typically at depths of 1-25m. Most commonly encountered by divers at the shallower end of its range.

Encounter Tips

Best approached slowly and calmly. Avoid casting shadows directly over the animal. Neutral buoyancy and patience increase encounter success significantly.

Blacktailed Wrasse species card

Biology

Behaviour & Diet

Feeding Strategy

Feeds on small invertebrates including sea urchins, crustaceans and molluscs crushed with its pharyngeal teeth. Forages actively over rocky reefs and seagrass margins.

Benthic predator

Reproduction

A protogynous hermaphrodite that changes from female to male. Terminal-phase males are brightly coloured and defend harems during spawning.

Hermaphrodite

Behaviour & Defence

Sleeps at night wedged into rock crevices or buried in sand, secreting a mucus cocoon in some cases. Relies on speed and agility to evade predators during the day.

Crevice sleeper

Dive with diveshack

Where to Encounter in Malta

The following dive sites offer strong habitat match for Symphodus melanocercus. All are accessible on a guided dive with diveshack.

5-30m
North Malta

Cirkewwa

Rocky reef with caves, arches and ledges hosting a rich diversity of reef species.

View dive site ›
5-50m
Gozo

Blue Hole

One of the Med's most famous reef dive sites. Rocky walls and archways covered in life.

View dive site ›
18-36m
South Malta

Um El Faroud

The wreck lies on a sandy bottom surrounded by rocky reef -- a diverse habitat attracting reef species.

View dive site ›
IUCN Red List Least Concern

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes to prey availability.

Source: iNaturalist Guide #888
by Lesley Clements (CC BY-SA)
diveshack Mediterranean Marine Life guide