Peacock Razorfish (Juvenile)

Scientific Name: Iniistius pavo
Species: Wrasses (Labridae)
Other names: Sand Wrasses, Xyrichtys pavo, Pavo Razorfish, Blue Razorfish, Black-barred Razorfish, Black Razorfish, Peacock Wrasse, Razor Wrasse, Red-Belly Razor Wrasse, Peacock Leaf Fish, Leaf Wrasse, Indianfish.

Some Images

Description

Also known as Sand Wrasses, Xyrichtys pavo, Pavo Razorfish, Blue Razorfish, Black-barred Razorfish, Black Razorfish, Peacock Wrasse, Razor Wrasse, Red-Belly Razor Wrasse, Peacock Leaf Fish, Leaf Wrasse and Indianfish.

Found singly or in pairs over sandy areas near to coral reefs.
When disturbed they will dive into the sand, they can "swim" for long distances through the sand to deter predators.
Juveniles brightly coloured and can look like dead leaves.
Adults eventually turn grey/blue.
They feed on hard shell invertebrates.
Length - 35cm
Depth - Juveniles 2-20m
Adults 20-100m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

Most reef fish seen by divers during the day are grazers, that cruise around just above the surface of the coral or snoop into crevices looking for algae, worms and small crustaceans.
Wrasses have small protruding teeth and graze the bottom taking in a variety of snails, worms, crabs, shrimps and eggs. Any hard coats or thick shells are then ground down by their pharyngeal jaws and the delicacies inside digested.
From juvenile to adult wrasses dramatically alter their colour and body shapes.
Wrasses are always on the go during the day, but are the first to go to bed and the last to rise.
Small wrasses dive below the sand to sleep and larger wrasses wedge themselves in crevasses.

Spotted

The Peacock Razorfish (Juvenile) has been photographed 5 times by user @fishx6

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