Description:

Dorsal spines: 9; Dorsal rays: 12; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 12–13.

Highly compressed body and a steep head profile, approaching the vertical, forehead with a firm knife-like anterior edge. A pair of long curved canine teeth anteriorly in 
jaws, followed by a row of strong conical teeth and two or three inner rows of nodular teeth. First 2 dorsal spines and membranes slightly longer than rest of fin. A deep 
notch in membrane separates second and third spines. Caudal fin small rounded.

Colour. Females pale, with a large dusky spot on upper side between lateral line and tip of pectoral fin; most scales of body with a red orange dot; often a concentration of 
orange red markings on scale edges forming a large patch below the end of the pectoral fin.

Males with a less distinct blackish spot on upper side and a series of red spots (usually five or six), that appear black under water, nearly as large as eye behind eye and 
along anterior lateral line.
 

Maturity: Lm unknown. Range unknown. Max Length: 25cm TL.
 

Inhabits open sandy areas, sandy slopes and areas with some seagrass and algae (depth 2-30m). It is usually in large spread-out groups on upper slopes of sand and mud banks. 
Males defend a territory containing numerous females. Pelagic spawner. Feeds mostly on hard-shelled prey such as crustaceans and molluscs.  When threatened, it dives 
head-first into sand. Sleeps under sand at night.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is not typically caught in the artisanal fishery. This specimen was caught in a mackerel net haul.

Bray, D.J. (2017). Iniistius pentadactylus in Fishes of Australia, http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/297 (22/08/18).
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2018). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.de/summary/7747 (22/08/18).
Russell, B. et al. (2010). Iniistius pentadactylus. The IUCN Red List 2010: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T187411A8528537.en. (22/08/18)

Nevill, J.E.G. (2019). Iniistius pentadactylus, Fivefinger wrasse. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/iniistius-pentadactylus-linnaeus-1758/ (edited 13/07/22).