Atlantic Wrasse

Symphodus caeruleus is a larger species of wrasse than any of its sympatric congeners in the Azores and it has differing meristic counts. This species has 17-18 spines and 8-9 rays in its dorsal fin, 5-6 spines and 7-9 rays in its anal fin. It has 33-34 scales in its lateral line. The females are an overall brownish colour, fading ventrally, with a chequered pattern of dark brown spotting on the body. There are four elongated spots on the body, with a fifth on the caudal peduncle which extends onto the proximate portion of the caudal fin, these spots are mirrored in the dorsal and anal fins. The terminal phase males are dark greenish=blue, becoming bluer in the breeding season, with paler fins and a pattern of darker spots similar to that of the females. The males can reach a standard length of 21.5 centimetres (8.5 in) while females attain 17.5 centimetres (6.9 in).

Symphodus caeruleus is found in the eastern Atlantic where it is endemic to the Azores.