What is the scientific name of black wrasse?

Answer 1

Common names rarely correspond exactly to a single species. Frequently wholesalers and retailers apply different names to the same fish or the same name to multiple species.

There is no entry in Dr. Burgess's Atlas of Marine Aquarium Fishes (3rd ed.) for "black wrasse" The nearest references seem to be for:

* "black leopard wrasse" (check http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/wrasses/cookisland_wrasses2.htm for a picture) * "black-eared wrasse" (Halichoeres malasmopomas)

* "blackear wrasse" (Halichoeres poeyi)

* "black-tailed wrasse" (Symphodus melanocercus)

* "blackedge fairy wrasse" (Cirrhilabrus melanomarginatus) * "blackspot wrasse" (Decodon melasma)