Xyrichtyinae

Xyrichtyinae
Rockmover wrasse ( Novaculichthys taeniourus )
Pearly razorfish ( Xyrichtys novacula )
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Labriformes
Family:	Labridae
Subfamily:	Xyrichtyinae Bonaparte, 1841
Genera
Ammolabrus Cymolutes Iniistius Novaculichthys Novaculoides Novaculops Xyrichtys

The razorfishes are saltwater fish of the subfamily Xyrichtyinae, a subgroup of the wrasse family (Labridae). ^[1] They are found throughout the global tropics, and live obligately on the sand plains of reef-associated slopes. ^[2]

Taxonomy

There is some uncertainty as to whether the razorfishes are the sister group to the cigar wrasse (Cheilio inermis) or to the Juan Fernández wrasse ( Malapterus reticulatus ). Molecular phylogenetics consistently finds Novaculichthys to be the sister group to the rest of the tribe. ^{[2] [3]}

Taxonomy of the group has traditionally been hindered by the problem that outwardly, some species can only be distinguished from each other by their colour patterns, which often do not persist in preserved specimens. Moreover in live specimens, males, females, and juveniles within the same species can vary greatly in appearance, and it is unknown what some of these growth stages look like in certain species. ^[4] This has become less of a problem with the advent of molecular phylogenetics, ^[3] but even so, these fish are difficult to find, and even more difficult to capture, limiting the study of this unusual group of wrasses. ^[4]

In the past, this group has also been referred to as the "novaculine wrasses" in the tribe Novaculini, though the latter is now treated as a synonym of the wrasse subfamily Xyrichtyinae. ^{[1] [5]}

Biology

The razorfishes live on sandbeds, usually associated with reefs. Their common name "razorfish" is derived from their flattened, blade-like snouts and strongly laterally compressed bodies. These adaptations allow them to dive into and move quickly through sand. ^{[4] [6]}

• 
  Pearly razorfish (Xyrichtys novacula), showing strong lateral compression.
• 
  Fivefinger razorfish (Iniistius pentadactylus) peeking out of sand.

Reproduction

Females can change sex into males. Most species form harems. The larval form is relatively long lived, lasting up to several months, and can be found in the open ocean. ^[4]

Genera

Based on Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes (2025): ^[7]

Genus	Image
Ammolabrus J. E. Randall & Carlson, 1997
Cymolutes Günther, 1861	C. praetextatus
Iniistius T. N. Gill, 1862	I. melanopus
Novaculichthys Bleeker, 1862	N. taeniourus
Novaculoides J. E. Randall & Earle, 2004	N. macrolepidotus
Novaculops L. P. Schultz, 1960	N. woodi
Xyrichtys G. Cuvier, 1814	X. martinicensis

References

1. Fricke, R.; Eschmeyer, W. N.; Van der Laan, R. (2025). "ESCHMEYER'S CATALOG OF FISHES: CLASSIFICATION". California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
2. Westneat, Mark W.; Alfaro, Michael E. (August 2005). "Phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of the reef fish family Labridae" . Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 36 (2): 370–390. Bibcode:2005MolPE..36..370W. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2005.02.001. PMID   15955516.
3. Hughes, Lily C; Nash, Chloe M; White, William T; Westneat, Mark W (2023-05-01). "Concordance and Discordance in the Phylogenomics of the Wrasses and Parrotfishes (Teleostei: Labridae)". Systematic Biology. 72 (3): 530–543. doi:10.1093/sysbio/syac072. ISSN   1063-5157. PMID   36331534.
4. Victor, B. C.; Wellington, G. M.; Caldow, C. (July 2001). "A review of the razorfishes (Perciformes: Labridae) of the eastern Pacific Ocean". Revista de Biologia Tropical. 49 Suppl 1: 101–110. ISSN   0034-7744. PMID   15260158.
5. Brownstein, Chase D.; Harrington, Richard C.; Alencar, Laura R. V.; Bellwood, David R.; Choat, John H.; Rocha, Luiz A.; Wainwright, Peter C.; Tavera, Jose; Burress, Edward D.; Muñoz, Martha M.; Cowman, Peter F.; Near, Thomas J. (2025-05-07). "Phylogenomics establishes an Early Miocene reconstruction of reef vertebrate diversity". Science Advances. 11 (19): eadu6149. doi:10.1126/sciadv.adu6149. PMC   12057688 . PMID   40333985.
6. FAO (2016). The living marine resources of the Eastern Central Atlantic. Volume 4: Bony fishes part 2 (Perciformes). FAO.
7. Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Genera in the family Xyrichtyinae". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 24 August 2025.