Common name: peacock wrasse

Scientific name: Iniistius pavo (Valenciennes, 1840)
Razorfish (Iniistius pavo) on a sandy bottom, Mauritius, Indian oceanPeacock Razorfish, Iniistius pavo, in Maldives
Peacock Razorfish (Juvenile) (Iniistius pavo) is a species of marine ray-finned fish from the family Labridae, the wrasses, which has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution.葉っぱに擬態するホシテンスの幼魚

General information

The Peacock Wrasse, scientifically known as Iniistius pavo, is a strikingly beautiful fish known for its vibrant colors and unique behavior. The males are particularly colorful, with a mosaic of blue, green, and yellow hues, while females and juveniles tend to be more subdued in coloration. This species is also known for its ability to 'fly' through the water, using its large pectoral fins to glide gracefully.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
300 liter (79 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
Temperature
22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
30 cm (1′)
Care level
Moderate to easy Needs a varied diet and space to swim
Diet
Omnivore Enjoys mysis, brine shrimp, and algae
Social
Solo Can be territorial, best kept alone
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Semi aggresive May nip at small fish or inverts
Captive bred
No
Conservation statusSource: IUCN Red List
ExtinctThreatenedLeastConcern

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Perch-like Fishes
    Perciformes
  5. Family
    Wrasses
    Labridae
  6. Genus
    Razorfish
    Iniistius
  7. Species
    peacock wrasse
    Iniistius pavo (Valenciennes, 1840)
  8. Synonyms
    ? niger Steindachner, 1900
    Crenilabrus pavo Valenciennes, 1839
    Hemipteronotus niger (Steindachner, 1900)
    Hemipteronotus pavo (Valenciennes, 1840)
    Hemipteronotus pavoninus (Valenciennes, 1840)
    Iniistius cacatua Waite, 1901
    Iniistius leucozonus Jenkins, 1901
    Iniistius mundicorpus Gill, 1862
    Iniistius niger (Steindachner, 1900)
    Iniistius pavoninus (Valenciennes, 1840)
    Iniistius verater Jenkins, 1901
    Inistius pavo (Valenciennes, 1840)
    Novacula carneoflava Peters, 1877
    Novacula immaculata Valenciennes, 1840
    Novacula nigra Steindachner, 1900
    Novacula temporalis Regan, 1905
    Novacula tessellata Valenciennes, 1840
    Novacula tetrazona Bleeker, 1858
    Xirichthys pavo Valenciennes, 1840
    Xyrichthys niger (Steindachner, 1900)

Care

Peacock Wrasses require a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock for hiding and foraging. They are active swimmers and need ample space to roam. A sandy substrate is also important as they have a habit of burying themselves in the sand when they feel threatened or during the night. They are generally peaceful but can be territorial towards other wrasses. A varied diet of meaty foods, such as mysis shrimp and finely chopped seafood, will help maintain their vibrant colors and health.

Reproduction

In the wild, Peacock Wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they are born female and can change to male if the dominant male is absent. In the aquarium, breeding is rare, but environmental stability and a well-matched pair can encourage spawning behavior.

Habitat

Peacock Wrasses are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. They inhabit coral reefs and lagoons, often seen at depths ranging from 1 to 30 meters. They prefer areas with sandy bottoms close to reefs where they can easily access both hiding spots and open water for feeding.