Wrasse - Peacock

Dispatch Method:

Beware of the sharp teeth of razorfish when handling them. The eating qualities of these fish can be improved by killing them humanely by iki jime or a firm knock to the head before placing them in an ice slurry after bleeding.

Fish Description:

• A razorfish with a distinctive, elongate anterior dorsal-fin spine and a small dark spot below the anterior part of the dorsal fin. The flanks have several light brown bands with a creamy white patch behind the pectoral fin, and a diagonal brown bar below the eye.
  
• The dorsal fin of juveniles is very elongate with prominent peacock -like ocelli (eye spots) from which this fishes common name is derived. Very small juveniles mimic drifting leaves and debris.
  
• All razorfish of the genus Iniistius are "sand diving" species, with thin bodies and a steep knife-like forehead, which enables them to dive into the sand to sleep at night, or when threatened.

Fish Distribution:

• This species is widespread throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa, throughour tropical northern Australia to the Society Islands, north to southern Japan and Hawaii, south to New Caledonia, Lord Howe Island and New South Wales.
  
• They occur mainly near coral reefs over areas with fine to loose, coarse sand bottoms at depths of less than 20 meters (60 feet), with juveniles sometimes occurring in shallow tropical estuaries.
  
• This species feeds mainly on small molluscs and crustaceans, and dives into sand to sleep at night or to hide and escape predators.

Fish Size Common Length:

20-30 cm (8-12 inches), maximum size around 40 cm (16 inches) and 1 kg (2 lb).