Novaculichthys

The genus "Novaculichthys", in Latin Novacula means razor, and ikhthús in Greek, means fish., while the specific name "taeniourus" from Greek tainía means ribbon, and oura means tail. ==Distribution==

They are widely distributed in tropical Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean reefs and lagoons. ==Habitat==

Adult fish live on shallow, semi-exposed reef flats and in lagoons and seaward reefs to depths of . They prefer hard-bottomed grassy areas of mixed sand and rubble with exposure to a mild surge. Juveniles favor shallow areas on rubble among large patch reefs or protected open patches on reef crests. ==Description==

The rockmover wrasse is a colorful fish, in length. It has an oblong, laterally compressed body and a wedge-shaped head. Its head is scaleless except for two scales on the upper part of the gill coverings and an almost vertical row of small scales behind each eye. 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. The adult fish has a dark greenish-brown body with an elongated white spot on each scale. Its head is gray-blue with brown lines radiated from the eyes. Two black spots occur in front of the dorsal fin and a wide vertical white bar is found on the base of the caudal fin. The posterior part of the caudal fin and the pelvic fins are black. Juveniles found in Hawaii are usually green and those in the western Pacific are burgundy to brownish. Both are spotted in white. The difference in appearance between juvenile and adult N. taeniourus is so striking, the common name "rockmover wrasse" is used for adults and "dragon wrasse" is used for juveniles. File:Rockmover Wrasse,Novaculichthys taeniourus, 2 mile reef imported from iNaturalist photo 15669937.jpg|South Africa File:Rockmover Wrasse, Novaculichthys taeniourus, 70987 La Crucecita, Oaxaca, Mexico imported from iNaturalist photo 463676690.jpg|Mexico File:Rockmover Wrasse, Novaculichthys taeniourus, HI 96740, USA imported from iNaturalist photo 458777050.jpg|Hawaii File:Rockmover Wrasse, Novaculichthys taeniourus, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Hawaii County, US-HI, US imported from iNaturalist photo 352981975.jpg|Hawaii File:Rockmover Wrasse, Novaculichthys taeniourus, Hawaii County, HI, USA imported from iNaturalist photo 414828359.jpg|Hawaii File:ObiTMKside.jpg|Japan File:Rockmover wrasse (Novaculichthys taeniourus) - 49760085237.jpg|Indonesia File:Novaculichthys taeniourus Amami.jpg|Captivity ==Reproduction==

Although little is known about reproduction of these fish, like other wrasses, they probably are able to change sex and are pelagic spawners, broadcasting eggs and sperm into the water column. ==Behavior==

These fish are highly territorial and pairs of adults often protect large areas of reef. The fish feed on benthic invertebrates including molluscs, crabs and polychaete worms. File:Rockmover Wrasse, Novaculichthys taeniourus, Puako, HI, USA imported from iNaturalist photo 167880378.jpg|Young adult, in Hawaii File:Novaculichthys taeniourus. Коричневая рыба-нож.DSCF0434.webm|Moving rocks while foraging File:Cleaning station.jpg|Being attended by Hawaiian cleaner wrasses. ==References==