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Project Noah Nature School
Juvenile Rockmover Wrasse, Dragon Wrasse or Reindeer Wrasse. In juveniles the first two dorsal fin spines are long and extended, drooping over the fish's forehead to form a "cowlick". As the fish mature, the elongated rays are lost.
Coral sea lagoon.
Spotted on Sep 25, 2013
Submitted on Sep 27, 2013
3 Comments
That is awesome! Fearlessness like a Lionfish. Usually, once they sense that I can see them, I have to chase them down at full-speed. That's assuming they don't just bury themselves.
This one, unlike most of the little reef fishes, actually kept displaying at me, as if it was a fearsome creature. Not burying itself on that day.
Great find! I just love these little (juvenile) Rockmover wrasses!! I see them occasionally in while snorkeling. Red ones, brown ones, and bright green ones. I like how they drift in the current like seaweed, and bury themselves in the sand/gravel.