Skip to main content

Dragon wrasse

Photo by lori.tas
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-24.1139, 152.719

Field Notes

Description:

Juvenile Rockmover Wrasse, Dragon Wrasse or Reindeer Wrasse. 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 mature, the elongated rays are lost.

Habitat:

Coral sea lagoon.

Reference Links:

Rockmover Wrasse - Novaculichthys taeniourus - Overview

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)
lowellmtyler
That is awesome! Fearlessness like a Lionfish. Usually, once they sense that I can see them, I have to chase them down at full-speed. That's assuming they don't just bury themselves.
lori.tas
This one, unlike most of the little reef fishes, actually kept displaying at me, as if it was a fearsome creature. Not burying itself on that day.
lowellmtyler
Great find! I just love these little (juvenile) Rockmover wrasses!! I see them occasionally in while snorkeling. Red ones, brown ones, and bright green ones. I like how they drift in the current like seaweed, and bury themselves in the sand/gravel.

Tags

Photographed
PublishedSeptember 27, 2013

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies