Dragon Wrasse (Novaculichthys taeniourus)

This fish prefers to inhabit reef flats and lagoon and seaward reefs of the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea to South Africa and the Gulf of California to depths of 75 feet.

Juveniles (left) are often seen swimming along protected patches of reefs as if they were a leaf floating along the bottom. Large adults (right) move along over large reef sections, 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 also called rock-mover wrasse.

They are highly territorial and prefer to feed on mollusks, sea urchins, brittle stars and crabs.

We currently have both juveniles and adults in our mermaid aquarium so come and check out this very unique critter.