The Xyrichthys pavo lives on open sandy areas and dives into the sand when it senses danger. Juveniles extend their elongated first dorsal fin forward over their head to mimic a drifting leaf.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 35 cm
color
Adults grey dorsally, yellowish white ventrally with 3 indistinct bars on body and 1 on caudal fin base. A small black spot rimmed with light blue, just above eighth lateral line scale. Juveniles with dark bars more evident than adults and may have 2 ocellated black spots on soft dorsal.
This species is found on sandy substrates at depths ranging from 7 to 40 meters. Its diet consists mainly of hard-shelled prey, such as mollusks and crustaceans.
distinctive characters
The first dorsal fin has two spines, the second has seven spines and twelve rays, the anal fin has three spines and twelve rays, and the pectoral rays are twelve. The body depth of adults is between 2.4 and 2.7, while juveniles have a body depth between 2.8 and 3.3. The dorsal profile of the head of adults is very steep, with the first two dorsal spines separate and originating over the posterior edge of the eye, being flexible and prolonged (greatly elongated in juveniles). The caudal fin is small and rounded.