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Juvenile Rock Mover Wrasse
Novaculichthys taeniourus
21.3967, -157.721
Field Notes
Description:
Juveniles and adults have markedly different appearances. In juveniles, the first two dorsal fin spines are long and extended, drooping over the fish's forehead to form a "cowlick". As the fish matures, the elongated rays are lost.
Habitat:
Coral reefs and lagoons in the Indo-Pacific region.
Notes:
As far as scientists know, wrasses are born as females, known as the initial phase, but some change into males later in life, known as the terminal phase. It is not exactly known what triggers the change to occur for all species, however, we do know that wrasses live in harems with one male and several females. When the male dies or is removed, the most dominant female will begin the change. The change not only involves internal changes, but can also include growing larger and coloration changes.
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