Pointed-Snout Wrasse

Symphodus rostratus

The pointed-snout wrasse is a slender marine fish notable for its small head and elongated snout, which is specialized for extracting prey from crevices. Its body is covered in large scales and typically exhibits a green or brownish color with darker markings along the flanks and back. A distinctive white stripe runs from the snout to the base of its dorsal fin. Males become more brightly colored during the breeding season. This species can reach a maximum length of 17.7 cm. This wrasse inhabits the coastal waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the western Black Sea, favoring environments near rocks and in seagrass beds of Zostera and Posidonia. It is commonly found at depths ranging from 1 to 30 meters, although it can be encountered as deep as 50 meters. The diet of the pointed-snout wrasse consists of small benthic organisms, including mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms. During the spring, males construct nests from plant material where females lay adhesive eggs. The male guards these nests, and the young initially feed on plankton post-hatching. The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN and is harmless to humans. Divers may encounter this fish in small groups, often near rocky substrates or seagrass beds.