The wrasses are a family (family Labridae) of reef safe marine fish, many of which are brightly-colored and popular for aquaria. The family is large and diverse, with about 500 species in 60 genera.
Wrasses have protractile mouths, usually with separate jaw teeth that jut outwards. The dorsal fin has 8-21 spines and 6-21 soft rays, usually running most of the length of the back.
The largest group we are studying are the bright and colorful wrasses of the familyLabridae.
Thought to be a sub-group of the Labridae, the 88 species of scarids have received considerable attention due to their significant ecological role in algal herbivory and sand production during digestion.
Labriform propulsion in fishes: Kinematics of flapping aquatic flight in the bird wrasse Gomphosus varius (Labridae).