Dragon Wrasse

Juveniles have long extended dorsal fin spines (Ref. 48636).

Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 12 - 13

Occurs inshore (Ref. 75154). Inhabits semi-exposed reef flats and lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Common in areas of mixed sand, and rubble that are subject to mild surge (Ref. 1602). Highly territorial (Ref. 9823). Feeds on mollusks, sea urchins, brittle stars, polychaetes, and crabs (Ref. 5213); feeding is done by overturning large rocks to expose target preys. Mobile-invertebrate feeder (Ref. 57615).

Inhabit semi-exposed reef flats and lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Common in areas of mixed sand, and rubble that are subject to mild surge (Ref. 1602, 58466). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Juveniles shallow on rubble amongst large bommies or protected open patches on reef crests and swim as if were a leaf floating along the bottom; large adults move along over large reef section, usually in pairs and typically turn or shift large pieces of rubble or debris that they grab and pull with their mouth or push over with their snout. Often, while one works the piece, the other grabs exposed prey. They are sometimes called rock-mover wrasse, but they don't move real rocks (Ref. 48636). Highly territorial (Ref. 9823). Feed on mollusks, sea urchins, brittle stars, polychaetes, and crabs (Ref. 5213); feeding is done by overturning large rocks to expose target preys. The young imitate drifting masses of algae (Ref. 2334). Marketed fresh (Ref. 9311). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 30874.

fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; price category: very high; price reliability: very questionable: based on ex-vessel price for species in this family

分布於印度-太平洋區，由紅海、南非到土木土群島，北至日本琉球與台灣海域，南至羅得豪島等。台灣西南部、南部、綠島、蘭嶼及小琉球海域皆有分布。

中小型之隆頭魚，體色鮮豔，是較適合水族觀賞的魚類。可食用，但個體小，較無食用價值。

體長型，側扁；頭部背面輪廓約成45度角；上下頜前側具 2對鈍犬齒；頭部無鱗，但眼後具一短列而近垂直的中型鱗片。D. IX, 12-13；A. III, 12-13；P. 13；L.l. 19-20+5-6；G.R. 5-6+10-13；背鰭起點在前鰓蓋後緣上方；幼魚背鰭第一與第二棘延長；尾鰭圓形至稍截形。成魚體灰色；胸鰭基下方具一圓形黑色帶；基部基部具一橙色斑；前腹部具一大紅色區域；背鰭第一與第二棘膜皆具一黑點；尾鰭基具一白色短帶；幼魚體紅色、綠色或褐色；體中央具 4列不規則黑邊之白點；眼周圍具黑邊之白色輻射紋。

主要棲息於半開放且潮流溫和的珊瑚礁平台，或潮池混有碎石和砂礫的水域，水深約2-14公尺的珊瑚礁水域。個性孤獨，領域性非常的強；成魚個兒雖不大，但卻像個大力士，可以翻轉大岩塊，攝取藏身岩底、岩隙的小獵物。小魚外形似海藻，常常模仿藻類隨波逐流的形態；遇天敵時，潛沙而逃。

Inhabits semi-exposed reef flats and lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Common in areas of mixed sand, and rubble that are subject to mild surge (Ref. 1602). Highly territorial (Ref. 9823). Feeds on molluscs, sea urchins, brittle stars, polychaetes, and crabs (Ref. 5213); feeding is done by overturning large rocks to expose target preys. The young imitate drifting masses of algae (Ref. 2334). Marketed fresh (Ref. 9311).