Iniistius pentadactylus (Fivefinger razorfish)
Green/blueish to gray body with a steep blunt head. Adults have 4-5 overlapping red spots behind the head. Juveniles or IP (intermediate phase) a white patch on the lower belly with red-edged scales and a faint dark spot above it. They live solitary or form loose groups.
Stated as Least Concern according to the IUCN Red list (assessment from 2009). This species is widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific and is common. There are no major threats. It is therefore listed as Least Concern.
Indo-Asian Pacific, from Egypt and Eastern Africa all the way to Australia and North up to Japan. They can be found on sand and mud slopes or seagrass fields, in a depth range of 2-30 meters.
Reproduction through spawning in open water.
Up to 25cm.
They feed on mollusks and crustaceans.
These fish are easily startled and dart into the mud/sand when feeling threatened. Males have several females and defend their territory from intruders.
