female
Iniistius aneitensis Günther, 1862
This razor wrasse has a snow white patch centered on the side. In males a faint yellow patch precedes it, in females the patch in front is darker. Juveniles (seen nearer to shore than adults) have three dark bands which in adults recede to become one to three dark spots along the back. Although less common than the two species above, it frequents the same habitat. The Hawaiian name means "sharp forehead." The qualifier kea ("white") might have applied to this species. (The similar but rarely seen I. baldwini prefers depths of 70 ft. or more and has a white patch bordered by yellow with a black spot immediately above.) To about 8 in. Central and Western Pacific. Many razor wrasse species, including this, were until recently placed in the genus Xyrichtys. They were reassigned to the genus Iniistius in 2002. Photos: adult, Puakö, Hawai`i, 80 ft. juveniles Kahe Point, O`ahu. 30 ft.
