TAXONOMY
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes) 
Family: Labridae (Wrasses)

Genus/species: Cirrhilabrus solorensis

Cirrhilabrus solorensis3380013623_6c8c3e586c_b

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Highly variable. The eye is bright red. Males usually have a dark band along the end of the gill covering. Change color and sex with growth. Females are able to change sex into an often brilliantly colored terminal male phase. Max. size: 11 cm (4.3 inches).

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Found in the Western Central Pacific and Indonesia. in coastal to outer reef lagoons on rubble and coral habitats.

DIET IN THE WILD: Zooplankton.

Cirrhilabrus solorensis3813060378_a4f75890b9_b

REMARKS: The cornea of the eye of fairy wrasses is divided into two segments, essentially forming a double pupil. It is thought that the center pupil is a close-up lens that lets the fish have a magnified view of their small prey.

Philippine Coral Reef PR04

References:

flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/3380013623/in/set-72157608208133134/

WordPress shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1ef

fishbase www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=60815

EOL eol.org/pages/210468/details