Xyrichtys


Xyrichtys is a genus of wrasses native to the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, where they are found in sandy-bottomed habitats. They are commonly known as razorfishes, as they are very laterally compressed with a sharp bony ridge at the front of their heads. This adaptation allows them to burrow very quickly into the sand at any sign of danger.

Species

The 11 currently recognized species in this genus are:Xyrichtys blanchardi Xyrichtys incandescens A. J. Edwards & Lubbock, 1981 Xyrichtys javanicus Xyrichtys martinicensis Valenciennes, 1840 Xyrichtys mundiceps T. N. Gill, 1862 Xyrichtys novacula Xyrichtys rajagopalani Venkataramanujam, Venkataramani & Ramanathan, 1987 Xyrichtys sanctaehelenae Xyrichtys splendens Castelnau, 1855 Xyrichtys victori Wellington, 1992 Xyrichtys wellingtoni G. R. Allen & D. R. Robertson, 1995