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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Subtropical

Rosy razorfish

Xyrichtys martinicensis Valenciennes, 1840
Max Length
19.3 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.5
Depth
2–21 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
31.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Most common in open sandy areas. Feeds on small sand-dwelling invertebrates. Dives head first into the sand when frightened. Generally common . Generally of no interest to fisheries because of its small average size .

Scientific Name
Xyrichtys martinicensis
Authority
Valenciennes, 1840
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
19.3 cm
Depth Range
2–21 m
Trophic Level
3.5
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
31.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Females light greenish gray, becoming pinkish ventrally, with diffuse orange-red stripe from behind eye to base of caudal fin; a broad white area over abdomen, the lower part with vertical lines of red; there may be faint red bars on the body. Large adult males lose the distinctive red, white and black markings; they develop a vertically elongate blue spot on each body scale; a yellow head with near-vertical pale blue bands, and a large dark spot in axil of pectoral fins .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Rosy razorfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Rosy razorfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Rosy razorfish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 21 m . Subtropical South America.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.5±0.37
Food Items

small sand-dwelling invertebrates

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00676 × L3.05 (TL)
Max TL
19.3cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2009

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
31.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.5
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Valenciennes, 1840

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Rosy razorfish is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18.7 g
Omega-3 (total) 147 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Rosy razorfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Hemipteronotus martinicensis Valenciennes 1840 Synonym
Hemipteronotus modestus Poey 1867 Synonym
Hemipteronotus niveilatus Jordan & Evermann 1903 Synonym
Xyrichthys infirmus Bean 1891 Synonym
Xyrichthys lineatus Valenciennes 1840 Synonym
Xyrichthys martinicensis Valenciennes 1840 Synonym
Xyrichthys modestus Poey 1867 Synonym
Xyrichthys venustus Poey 1876 Synonym
Xyrichtys infirmus Bean 1891 Synonym
Xyrichtys modestus Poey 1867 Synonym
Xyrichtys niveilatus Jordan & Evermann 1903 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 8 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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