Marmalade Razorfish

Xyrichtys blanchardi

The marmalade razorfish (Xyrichtys blanchardi) is a slender wrasse in the family Labridae found in the southeastern Atlantic Ocean. Adults reach about 15-20 cm and display warm orange to marmalade-colored flanks with subtle barring and a compressed, blade-like body profile. The head has a steep, nearly vertical profile. This species inhabits sandy and rubble areas adjacent to reefs at depths of 5-40 meters. Like other razorfishes, it can dive headfirst into sand when threatened, completely burying itself in an instant. They emerge to feed on small benthic invertebrates including worms, crustaceans, and mollusks. Their camouflage coloration blends with sandy substrates, and they are often overlooked until they make sudden movements.