Norwegian record Corkwing wrasse: 298 g

About Corkwing wrasse

The corkwing wrasse (Symphodus melops) is one of Norway's commonest wrasses. It has a deep, compressed body and a single long dorsal fin. Colour is very variable: females and young fish are brown to greenish brown, while territorial males are brighter, with green and blue lines on the head and gill covers. Look for a dark blotch on the centre of the tail base and a small comma-like mark just behind the eye. Most are 15 to 20 cm and rarely over 25 cm. It lives among rocks, seaweed and eelgrass from the shore to about 30 m and feeds mainly on small mussels and crustaceans. In summer the male guards eggs in a seaweed nest. It is common in southern and western Norway and ranges north to Vikna. It is widely used as a cleaner fish against salmon lice, and recreational fishers may not catch wrasse with fyke nets. Norwegian Red List 2021: Least Concern (LC).

Sources: Artsdatabanken, Fiskeridirektoratet, Wikipedia

• Habitat: Saltvann
• Best month: Juli
• Red list status: LC (2021)

See the species guide

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How to register a Norwegian record

1. Norwegian sport-fishing records are registered with Villmarksliv, not with FishComp. Read the rules before you do anything else with the fish.
2. Records are based on weight and approved by a jury. You give the weight and length, where it was caught, the gear you used and any witnesses.
3. Keep your photos and notes from the catch. Logging it in FishComp does not register a record.