Novaculichthys taeniourus (Lacepède, 1801)

Rockmover wrasse

Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL

Classification	Actinopterygii \| Perciformes \| Labridae \| Cheilininae
Synonyms	Labrus taeniourus, Hemipteronotus taeniourus, Julis bifer, ... more
Common names	Masked wrasse, Dragon wrasse, Carpet wrasse, ... more

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Image of Novaculichthys taeniourus (Rockmover wrasse)

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This map was computer-generated and has not yet been reviewed.

AquaMaps Data sources: GBIF OBIS

Main reference

Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene. 1990. (Ref. 2334)
Other references | Biblio | Coordinator : Westneat, Mark | Collaborators

Size / Weight / Age

Max length : 30.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2334)

Environment

Reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 25 m (Ref. 30573), usually ? - 14 m (Ref. 27115)

Climate / Range

Tropical; 24°C - 28°C (Ref. 27115); 30°N - 30°S

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to South Africa (Ref. 35918) and the Tuamoto Islands, north to Ryukyu and Hawaiian islands, south to Lord Howe Island. Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to Panama and the Galapagos Islands (Ref. 5227).
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Short description

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12 - 13. Juveniles have long extended dorsal fin spines (Ref. 48636).

Inhabit semi-exposed reef flats and lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Common in areas of mixed sand, and rubble that are subject to mild surge (Ref. 1602, 58466). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Juveniles shallow on rubble amongst large bommies or protected open patches on reef crests and swim as if were a leaf floating along the bottom; large adults move along over large reef section, usually in pairs and typically turn or shift large pieces of rubble or debris that they grab and pull with their mouth or push over with their snout. Often, while one works the piece, the other grabs exposed prey. They are sometimes called rock-mover wrasse, but they don't move real rocks (Ref. 48636). Highly territorial (Ref. 9823). Feed on mollusks, sea urchins, brittle stars, polychaetes, and crabs (Ref. 5213); feeding is done by overturning large rocks to expose target preys. The young imitate drifting masses of algae (Ref. 2334). Marketed fresh (Ref. 9311). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 30874.


IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 57073)	Threat to humans
Not Evaluated	Harmless

Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial


More information
Countries FAO areas Ecosystems Occurrences Introductions Ecology Diet Food items Food consumption Ration	Common names Synonyms Metabolism Predators Ecotoxicology Reproduction Maturity Spawning Eggs Egg development	Age/Size Growth Length-weight Length-length Length-frequencies Morphometrics Morphology Larvae Larval dynamics Recruitment Abundance	Other references Biblio Aquaculture Aquaculture profile Strains Genetics Allele frequencies Heritability Diseases Processing	Collaborators Pictures Stamps Sounds Ciguatera Speed Swim. type Gill area Otoliths Brains Vision

Tools
Biogeographic modelling \| Bio-Quiz \| E-book \| Field guide \| Length-frequency wizard \| Life-history tool \| Point map

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Summary page \| Point data \| Common names \| Photos

Internet sources

Estimation of some characteristics with mathematical models

Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82805)

PD₅₀ = 0.7500

Resilience (Ref. 69278)

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)


Vulnerability (Ref. 59153)	Price category (Ref. 80766)
Moderate vulnerability (35 of 100)	Very high

Entered by Capuli, Estelita Emily

Modified by Ortañez, Auda Kareen

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