scubaseason

Corkwing Wrasse

Symphodus melops

Sighting evidence at Lough Hyne, Ireland

Brilliantly coloured males establish nest sites among algae and actively court females in late spring and summer, defending territories with exaggerated display behaviours. Lough Hyne's calm water makes observing this intricate behaviour straightforward without disturbing the fish. Juveniles cluster around kelp holdfasts where they pick parasites from other species.

Evidence at this site

No confirmed records on file at this site

Corkwing Wrasse is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.