Twistii Razorfish
Iniistius twistii
Also known as: Redblotch Razorfish, Sand Wrasse, Yellow-breasted Wrasse
- Redblotch Razorfish
- Sand Wrasse
- Yellow-breasted Wrasse
Overview
Found singly or in small schools, over open mud and sand slopes, when disturbed they will dive into the sand where they can "swim" for long distances through the sand to deter predators.
Juveniles can look like dead leaves.
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.
How to identify
Habitat & where to find it
- Range · Western Pacific
- Country only · 2
Found singly or in small schools, over open mud and sand slopes, when disturbed they will dive into the sand where they can "swim" for long distances through the sand to deter predators.
Adult photos 2
Discussion
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Deep dive
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