Description
Also known as Pale Razorfish, Sand Wrasse, Whiteblotch Razorfish, Whiteblotch Razor Wrasse, Whitepatch Razorfish, Whiteside Razorfish.
Found singly or in harems, over open, clean, mud and sandy areas of lagoons and seaward slopes, of coastal reefs. When disturbed they will dive into the sand, where they can "swim" for long distances through the sand to deter predators.
They feed on hard shell invertebrates.
Length - 24cm
Depth - 12-90m
Widespread Indo-Pacific
Most reef fish seen by divers during the day, are grazers, they cruise around, just above the surface of the coral, or snoop into crevices, foraging for food.
Wrasses have small protruding teeth, which they use to graze the bottom, taking in a variety of algae, crustaceans, such as crabs, eggs, shrimps, snails and worms. 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 crevices. Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/5611
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