nd approximately 600 species (2:203-204). Many species are highly colorful, and several color patterns may exist within a single species. Coloration can also vary among males and females, as well as between animals of different ages. In the past, these phenomena have led to great confusion with regard to wrasse classification. In addition, the wrasses exhibit considerable variation in size. The maximum wrasse size is 9.8 feet (3 meters); in contrast, some species grow to only about 2.4 inches (6 centimeters) (7:258). One notable behavior of small labridae species consists of removing the ectoparasites from larger fish (2:203-204).
The species, Tautoga onitis, may be characterized by the following features: (1) a steep head profile; (2) a blunt snout; (3) a terminal mouth; (4) thick lips; and (5) stout jaws. The fish has two rows of extremely strong conical teeth. In addition, posteriorly the tautog has two groups of rounded, molarlike teeth. These are designed primarily for crushing (1:653).
Overall, the tautog's body tends to be "deeply oval:" it is a rather stout fish, with a rounded head (5:137). The fish has a long-based, notched dorsal fin. This fin, which is also rounded, contains between 16 and 17 spines, and 10 rays (1:653). The dorsal fin's fleshy rays tend to be considerably higher than the spinous portion. In addition, "small, floating, fleshy tentaculae may attach themselves to the dorsal spinous ray extremities (11:389). The caudal fin is truncated and additionally rounded at the co
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