Fish Identification Photos: Emerald Wrasse, Thalassoma virens: The Emerald Wrasse is characterized by its consistent uniform body color with an emerald green color. The Emerald Wrasse is easy to identify and not easily confused with other species with the only possible exception being the Sunset Wrasse, Thalassoma grammaticum, which is more abundant but has strong distinguishing markings around its head. They form large school that feed on algae, small crustaceans, plankton and soft coral.

The Emerald Wrasse has been reported to reach a length of 15 inches and about 1 pound. They are normally found over rocky-shore in the surge zone within the first 50 feet of the water column.

The Emerald Wrasse is a member of the Labridae or Wrasse Family. In Mexico, the Emerald Wrasse as been reported around the tip of Baja California and Clipperton Island and at the Revillagigedos Islands.

The two fish pictured immediately below were caught near 22 degrees 6 minutes N and 109 degrees 5 minutes W, which is viewed by Dr. Milton Love, University of California, Santa Barbara, to be a rather unique location for this species.

The previously known most northerly location for the Emerald Wrasse was the Revillagigedos Islands, 18 degrees 7 minutes N, approximately 310 miles to the south. Dr. Ross Robertson, Smithsonian Institute, Panama, has reported this species, but only as vagrants, to be found in the Cabo San Lucas area, however.

The Emerald Wrasse is too rare to be of great interest to anyone.

Emerald Wrasse, Thalassoma virens: This fish was caught from shore in the last hour of daylight in April 2003, in 73-degree water, in less than 6 inches of water, between the “trough” and dry land, utilizing a 15-pound test, two dropper loop rig, no swivel, 1.5-ounce bank sinker, and Mustad 92553 hooks, size #4 on cut squid, at Km, 12, Cabo Del Sol, between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Size approximately 9 inches and 1 pound. It hit with a WHAMO like no other surf fish I have caught (other than El Toro). Fish identification courtesy Dr. Milton Love, University of California, Santa Barbara. Description courtesy John Snow. Photo courtesy Carol Snow. Emerald Wrasse, Thalassoma virens: This fish was caught by Dr. Mike Browning of Denver in a similar fashion and location to the fish pictured above it. Description and photo courtesy John Snow.