HomeMarine aquarium fishWrassesPearly razorfish Pearly razorfish (Xyrichtys novacula) Scientific name: Xyrichtys novacula Linnaeus, 1758 The Pearly razorfish (Xyrichtys novacula) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 12. An elongate, very compressed fish with front of head forming a sharp edge. Snout very blunt; profile steep. Pale greenish, usually with no conspicuous markings on body. Head with alternating vertical lines of light blue and light yellow-orange.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameXyrichtys novaculaFamilyLabridae (Wrasses)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length38.0Common length20.0Depth range1–90 m (3–295 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 90 mClimateSubtropicalDistributionWestern Atlantic: North Carolina, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico through the Caribbean to Brazil. Eastern Atlantic: southern coast of Spain to south of Cape Lopez, Gabon and including the Mediterranean, Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, Cape Verde and Sao Tome Island.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercialResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tmax=8) More wrassesBrown wrasseLabrus merulaAxillary wrasseSymphodus mediterraneusSlender wrasseSuezichthys gracilisMarbled parrotfishLeptoscarus vaigiensisYellowbar parrotCalotomus zonarchusViridescent parrotfishCalotomus viridescensSee all wrasses SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026