Rockmover Wrasse Novaculichthys taeniourus
The Rockmover Wrasse lives in reefs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Its name comes from its habit of
turning rocks and reef fragments in search of prey.
The only species in its genus, it has several other common names including Carpet Wrasse.
Adults can reach some 30cm long.
The horned juvenile looks like a totally different species of fish
and has a couple of different names: usually the Dragon Wrasse but also the Reindeer Wrasse.
The smaller juveniles are darker with longer horns and mimic seaweed for camouflage.
Older Dragon juvenile.
Rockmover in transition, with cleaner wrasse.
Rockmover adult.
The adults are territorial, a pair usually holding a territory and often working together in a team
where one moves rocks and the other quickly grabs the prey.