Peacock wrasse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peacock wrasse |
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The peacock wrasse, also known as the blue razorfish, is a cool type of fish that lives in the ocean. Its scientific name is Iniistius pavo. It belongs to a group of fish called wrasses (family Labridae). You can find this fish in many parts of the Indo-Pacific Ocean.
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What Does the Peacock Wrasse Look Like?
The peacock wrasse has a dark line just below its eye. It also has a small dark spot near the front of its dorsal fin (the fin on its back). You might see a white patch behind its pectoral fin (the fin on its side). There's also a brown bar under its eye.
When they are grown up, these fish usually have five dark stripes on their bodies. Female peacock wrasses can have a red belly. Young peacock wrasses, called juveniles, have a black anal fin (the fin on their underside). They also have two big eye-like spots on their dorsal fin with thin white edges.
Special Fins and Body Shape
The first two spines on the peacock wrasse's dorsal fin are separate from the rest. When the fish is young, these two spines form a long, ribbon-like part that looks like a banner. As the fish gets older, this part becomes shorter.
Like other fish in its group, called the Iniistius genus, the peacock wrasse has a very flat body. Its forehead is steep and sharp, almost like a blade. This shape helps it move through the water.
Colors and Size
Young peacock wrasses can be different colors. Some are whitish with dark stripes, while others are mostly brown. Very small juveniles float in the water, looking like dead leaves or other floating bits. This helps them hide from predators. A peacock wrasse can grow up to about 42 centimeters (16.5 inches) long.
Where Do Peacock Wrasses Live?
The peacock wrasse lives in the Indo-Pacific region. This huge area stretches from the Red Sea and the coast of East Africa (as far south as KwaZulu-Natal) all the way east to the Society Islands. They are found north in southern Japan and Hawaii, and south in New Caledonia, Lord Howe Island, and New South Wales in Australia. You can also find them in the Eastern Pacific, from the Gulf of California to Panama and the Galapagos Islands.
Peacock Wrasse Habitat and Behavior
Peacock wrasses usually live alone. They are found near the bottom of the ocean (benthic) or sometimes swimming just above it (benthopelagic). They like areas in lagoons and coral reefs where the ocean floor is made of fine or loose sand.
Young peacock wrasses are sometimes seen in shallow estuaries, which are places where rivers meet the sea. Adult fish are rarely found in water shallower than 20 meters (about 65 feet).
Hiding in the Sand
One of the coolest things about the peacock wrasse is how it hides! At night, or when it feels threatened, it dives headfirst into the sand. It uses its sharp, blade-like forehead to quickly bury itself. This keeps it safe while it sleeps or when danger is near.
What Do They Eat?
Peacock wrasses eat invertebrates that have hard shells. These include molluscs, like snails and clams, and crustaceans, like crabs and shrimp.
Clever Camouflage
Young peacock wrasses are very clever. They use the long, separate part of their dorsal fin to look like dead leaves floating in the water. This helps them blend in and avoid being noticed by bigger fish that might want to eat them.
Peacock Wrasse and People
People don't usually fish for peacock wrasses to sell them in large amounts. However, if a big enough fish is caught, its meat is said to taste very good. Sometimes, these fish are collected to be kept in home aquariums.
