An investigation was made to compare the reproductive strategies ofCrenilabrus melops, Labrus bergylta, Labrus ossifagus, Centrolabrus exoletusandCtenolabrus rupestris.Fish were collected monthly and measurements were made of length, weight, age and colouration. Histological sections of the gonads were also prepared.Labrus bergyltaandL. ossifagusare protogynous, the former monandric and the latter diandric, and a distinct colour change is associated with sex‐inversion inL. ossifagus.The other three species are gonochoristic and onlyC. melopsexhibits sexual dimorphism which involves body colouration and size of the urino‐genital papilla.All five species undergo normal annual cycles of reproduction which compare with those described for other teleost species, but some differences were noted relating to the different reproductive strategies.L. bergyltafemales reached sexual maturity at the late age of six to nine years following earlier abortive maturation.InC. melopstwo types of male were found: the normal (type 1) males and a minority group (about 20%) termed type 2 males, which have complete female secondary sexual characteristics. Type 2 males also have very large testes and attain sexual maturity two years earlier than type 1 males. Their role in reproduction is unknown.Sexual inversion inL. bergyltaandL. ossifagusoccurs by atrophy of the oocytes and the gradual development of spermatogenetic cysts throughout the gonad. Primary and secondary testes can be distinguished histologically and maleL. ossifaguswith primary testes do not seem to take part in reproduct