Rockmover Wrasse (Juvenile)
Rockmover Wrasse (Juvenile)
Novaculichthys taeniourus
UncommonLabridaeHarmless
ID points
- Juveniles have two fin rays on top of the head drawn out like antennae
- Juveniles tumble with the surge, mimicking drifting seaweed
- Adults show radiating white lines on the head and turn grey-green
Basics
- Family
- Labridae
- Length
- 10–15 cm
- Depth
- 1-25 m
- Regions
- Indo-Pacific reefs
- Distribution
- Tropical coral reefs from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific
- Habitat
- Rubble and sand patches on coral reefs
- Diet
- Crustaceans, molluscs
Easily confused with
Rockmover WrasseFine white lines radiate over the head, like cracked porcelain
Leopard WrasseFemales white with dense blackish green leopard spots
Cleaner WrasseA black stripe runs from the snout straight through to the tailFun fact
Juvenile rockmover wrasse are a vivid red with flowing filaments trailing from the dorsal and pelvic fins, an extraordinarily ornate little fish. The adult turns green and has a completely different shape, so the two were once taken for separate species.
More in this family
- Bird Wrasse
- Flasher Wrasse
- Harlequin Tuskfish
- Moon Wrasse
- Napoleon Wrasse
- Six-line Wrasse
- Slingjaw Wrasse
- Tuskfish