Novaculichthys taeniourus Lacepede 1802
reindeer wrasse, dragon wrasse, rockmover wrasse, carpet wrasse
Pictured left is a juvenile Reindeer Wrasse, Novaculichthys taeniourus. It is brown with white markings. The first 2 dorsal fin spines are greatly elongated giving rise to the name reindeer or dragon. Juveniles are usually solitary.
The adults, below, are plainer looking and are often found in pairs. They are able to move rocks and pieces of coral in search of prey, hence the name rockmover.
Family = Labridae - wrasses
Max size = 30cms
Distribution = widely distributed tropical, not common locally
