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Novaculichthys taeniourus Nature Photo

Tags: Dragon Wrasse | fish | Novaculichthys taeniourus | Olive-scribbled Wrasse | Rockmover Wrasse

Novaculichthys taeniourus is also known as Dragon Wrasse, Rockmover Wrasse, or Olive-scribbled Wrasse. Mainly inhabits semi-exposed reef flats with gentle currents, areas mixed with debris and gravel, or coral reefs which are 2-14 meters under water. A solitary species with strong territorial behavior. Adults are not big but very powerful and can flip over rocks to look for prey in the cracks of a rock or under rocks. Juveniles often imitate drifting algae since they resemble the plant and they dive into sand to escape  enemies. Distributed in the Indo-Pacific: from the Red Sea to South Africa to the Tuamotos, north to the Ryukyu islands and Taiwan, and south to Lord Howe Island. Occur in waters in southwest and southern Taiwan, Green Island, Lanyu (Orchid Island), and Liuchiu. The species is a small-medium Labridae with vibrant colors, suitable as an ornamental fish. Edible, but has little edible value due to its small size. (Photography by: Tsai Cheng-yi, Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica; Location: Green Island)

Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica