wrasse

Any bony fish of the family Labridae, found in temperate and tropical seas. They are slender and often brightly coloured, with a single long dorsal fin. They have elaborate courtship rituals, and some species can change their colouring and sex. Species vary in size from 5 cm/2 in to 2 m/6.5 ft.

The hogfish Labrus maximus, found along southern Atlantic shores of North America, is a fine food fish up to 2 ft/0.6 m long, with rapidly changing reddish colors.