Species check

[corbyeire]

Hi all,

is this just a funny coloured ballan or something else?
there were silver specs all over it - more than the photo does justice for

thanks

[donal domeney]

More than likely a ballan I've seen them in all colours and mixtures. The only other species of wrasse it could be is a corkwing which is not possible to id from the photo as it is hard to see any spot on the tail.
Have a look at the IFI fish id book on the number of spines and soft jointed rays in the dorsal fin of a ballan and a corkwing. The picture shows 20 spines and 9/10 soft ray spines which is too many for a corkwing (15-18 spines and 8-10 soft)

The sure way to id a corkwing is to run your finger inside the first gill cover of the fish it will feel serrated. It is the only one of the wrasses that have this.

Bromóg14.JPG

[gfkelly1969]

ballan wrasse brian i have seen a lot with similar markings,most corkwing you can see the black spot clearly
there is a very similar wrasse to the ballan wrasse called a Baillon’s wrasse,they are rare in ireland but they are around,i seen on caught near letterfrack,they have red markings on the fins and tail

[corbyeire]

never heard of a baillons wrasse, definitely no spot on the tail donal, thanks for the comments both of you
funny coloured ballon, you always hope