Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria
Info
We are not aware of any offers to buy the razor wrasse Iniistius geisha, the same applies to husbandry experiences, photos of live animals are also rarities.
Iniistius geisha is a rare species that is only landed by trawl from time to time.
Information on the biology or diet of this wrasse is correspondingly scarce.
Description:
Most of the body and scales are olive-yellow, sometimes slightly pinkish with several black spots in the center of the body.
The posterior margin of each scale on the back and sides shows a pale posterior margin, the back and belly are completely black.
Thorax and pectoral base all black, the upper part of the thorax is blackish brown with a pale over-eye stripe and just behind the and caudal fins black except for a faint blue spot on the soft parts.
Above half to two-thirds of the caudal fin blackish basally, yellowish distally; below one-third to half of the caudal fin bluish;
The pectoral fins are slightly bluish-white with a black base (a black band along the upper edge in this species), the pelvic fins are black at the base, somewhat less distinct.
set off.
Mating and sex
Wrasses are female sexed from birth. At an advanced age, the sex changes from female to male. i.e. if two young fish of the same size are placed in the aquarium, in most cases they are female fish and can be maintained without problems. After a certain time a female fish changes to a male. The care is as a pair with it also no problem. However, at an advanced age the female will change into a male, even if the older male is still present. Same sex males cannot be kept together, usually the fight ends with the death of the weaker animal.
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
Etymology:
The species name "geisha" comes from the Japanese and stands for "professional artist and entertainer" and refers to the black and white coloration of this fish, which can be imagined in a geisha in traditional costume.
Synonym: Xyrichtys geisha Araga & Yoshino, 1986
Literature reference:
Wibowo K, Peristiwady T, Makatipu P, Oktaviyani S, Oktaviani D, Wahyudewantoro G (2025) First equatorial records of four marine fishes (Actinopterygii) caught off Lembeh Island, northern Sulawesi, Indonesia. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria 55: 1-9. https://doi.org/10.3897/aiep.55.142574
Iniistius geisha is a rare species that is only landed by trawl from time to time.
Information on the biology or diet of this wrasse is correspondingly scarce.
Description:
Most of the body and scales are olive-yellow, sometimes slightly pinkish with several black spots in the center of the body.
The posterior margin of each scale on the back and sides shows a pale posterior margin, the back and belly are completely black.
Thorax and pectoral base all black, the upper part of the thorax is blackish brown with a pale over-eye stripe and just behind the and caudal fins black except for a faint blue spot on the soft parts.
Above half to two-thirds of the caudal fin blackish basally, yellowish distally; below one-third to half of the caudal fin bluish;
The pectoral fins are slightly bluish-white with a black base (a black band along the upper edge in this species), the pelvic fins are black at the base, somewhat less distinct.
set off.
Mating and sex
Wrasses are female sexed from birth. At an advanced age, the sex changes from female to male. i.e. if two young fish of the same size are placed in the aquarium, in most cases they are female fish and can be maintained without problems. After a certain time a female fish changes to a male. The care is as a pair with it also no problem. However, at an advanced age the female will change into a male, even if the older male is still present. Same sex males cannot be kept together, usually the fight ends with the death of the weaker animal.
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
Etymology:
The species name "geisha" comes from the Japanese and stands for "professional artist and entertainer" and refers to the black and white coloration of this fish, which can be imagined in a geisha in traditional costume.
Synonym: Xyrichtys geisha Araga & Yoshino, 1986
Literature reference:
Wibowo K, Peristiwady T, Makatipu P, Oktaviyani S, Oktaviani D, Wahyudewantoro G (2025) First equatorial records of four marine fishes (Actinopterygii) caught off Lembeh Island, northern Sulawesi, Indonesia. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria 55: 1-9. https://doi.org/10.3897/aiep.55.142574
