Exquisite fairy wrasse Cirrhilabrus exquisitus IMG_0098
Exquisite Fairy Wrasse
Cirrhilabrus exquisitus (Labridae)
Wrasses
Distribution: East Africa to Tuamotus, north to
Izus, southern Japan and south to Great Barrier
Reef, Australia.
Habitat: Over rubble or low patch reefs in areas
of current, also on reef edges and near rubble
zones in 5–35 m depth.Appearance: Length to 12 cm. Post-juvenile
initial phase to 7 cm and colored shades of
brown; large black spot on base of upper tail.
Terminal phase individuals colored shades of
green, bright red margins on dorsal and anal
fins, narrow blue stripe from mid-body to tail,
large black spot on base of upper tail, two or
three blue line marks on head.
Diet: Zooplankton in the water column, well
above the substrate.
Reproduction and Development: Pelagic
spawners, like all wrasses.
Remarks: Like all wrasses, active diurnally,
rest nocturnally.
Frequently in moderately large groups of
mixed sexes during feeding.
Males often display to each other.