The ballan wrasse, Labrus bergylta Ascanius, 1767, is the largest wrasse inhabiting European waters and has two different body colour morphotypes: plain and spotted. A large spotted specimen was caught by a spear-fisher in the Galician Atlantic coast (North West Spain). The total length was 66 cm and the total weight was 5,065 g in fresh, but 65 cm and 4,920 g after being frost and thawed, when the specimen was analysed. It represents a new maximum length and weight for the species. Age determination based on sectioned otoliths was 24 years, which is the maximum age for a spotted morphotypes of the species.