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Discover fishes of the genus Xyrichtys
Who are Xyrichtys ?
The genus Xyrichtys includes at least a dozen species. These fish, commonly known as "razon" or "razor fish," are still poorly known, and new species are regularly being described.
Xyrichtys belong to the large marine family of wrasses. They are found in all tropical and subtropical waters around the world. Unlike most of their relatives, they rarely inhabit rocky areas. They mainly live near sandy bottoms, not far from reefs. There are three closely related genera within the subfamily Xyrichtyinae: Ammolabrus, Iniistius, and Novaculops.
They are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they are born female, and some individuals later transform into males. Dominant males take control of large sandy territories, while females are more nomadic.
Throughout their growth, these fish go through various transitional phases, with changing color patterns. Morphologically, they are easy to identify thanks to their flattened heads and highly elongated bodies.
When threatened, Xyrichtys are known to quickly dive into the sand. They are carnivorous, mainly hunting microorganisms among crustaceans, mollusks, and marine worms.
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