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Rosy Razorfish (Xyrichtys martinicensis) — Labridae

Rosy Razorfish

Xyrichtys martinicensis
Family: Labridae
LC · Least Concern

The Rosy Razorfish (Xyrichtys martinicensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–21.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The rosy razorfish is a small wrasse from the western Atlantic, ranging from southern Florida and the Bahamas to northern South America. It grows to about 19 cm and has a strongly laterally compressed body with a steep, blade-like head. Females are light greenish-grey with a pinkish belly and an orange-red stripe from the eye to the tail base; males develop blue spots on the scales and a yellow head with pale blue bands. When threatened the fish dives head first into the sand. It lives over sandy bottoms on reefs at depths of 2 to 21 metres and feeds on small invertebrates dug from the sand.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Rosy Razorfish?

The Rosy Razorfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly green and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Rosy Razorfish live?

The Rosy Razorfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Rosy Razorfish get?

The Rosy Razorfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Rosy Razorfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Rosy Razorfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Rosy Razorfish edible?

The Rosy Razorfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rozige mesvis verified
English name
Rosy Razorfish verified
Scientific name
Xyrichtys martinicensis
Family
Labridae
Other names
Rosy razorfish; Straighttail razorfish; Straight-tail razorfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
21.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Xyrichtys

More from the family Labridae

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