The razorfish possesses a unique swimming style that allows it to evade predators while ambushing hidden prey.
(Video: Dumagat Freedive).
The razorfish (Aeoliscus strigatus) typically floats in the water with its body positioned vertically and its head angled downward. This slender and elongated fish is often found among coral branches, seagrass beds, and urchins, according to IFL Science.
Its vertical swimming allows the razorfish to hide easily, even when moving in large synchronized schools. The coloration of their bodies also aids in this camouflage. Individuals living in different habitats exhibit different colors for better disguise. For instance, razorfish residing in seagrass environments often have a yellow-green coloration on their backs. They hide themselves by swimming in a peculiar manner with a dual purpose: not only to evade larger predatory fish but also to ambush prey when the opportunity arises.
Razorfish swimming style.
The razorfish primarily preys on small invertebrates, such as crustaceans and amphipods. These tiny crustaceans sometimes inhabit the spines of sea urchins. Due to the razorfish’s unique camouflage technique, these prey often do not notice the intruder until it’s too late. The innovative swimming style is not the only remarkable feature of the razorfish. Their small bodies are covered by a layer of fine bony scales that form a transparent armored shell. Additionally, their fins are quite unique, with the tail fin positioned on the belly, replacing the usual position of the dorsal fin.
Although razorfish are relatively common in aquariums and in the wild in the Indo-Pacific region, researchers know very little about them beyond these characteristics. They are unclear about their reproductive habits, age of maturity, or population numbers in the wild. Consequently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies them as “Data Deficient.” However, with the ongoing decline of essential habitats like seagrass and coral reefs globally due to climate change, gaining more knowledge about this species is crucial to ensure their survival.
