They are all born female and, while their vibrant markings look tropical, they are native to Scottish waters.
But fans of wrasse, one of the UK’s most unusual species, fear they are being wiped out in a “goldrush” to supply Scotland’s salmon farms, which use them as “cleaner” fish to combat deadly sea lice.
Fishermen and conservationists alike are warning of huge declines as demand from Scotland’s aquaculture sector has seen catches of wild wrasse rocket in value from under £400 a tonne in 2014 to more than £56,000 a tonne the following year.
Critics want a ban or restrictions and monitoring to ensure the “free for all” — fuelled by the government’s bid to double salmon farms by 2030 — does not push wrasse