TAXONOMY
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Labridae (Wrasses)
Genus/species: Cirrhilabrus rubrimarginatus
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Body shape is fusiform. The male is more brilliantly colored compared to the female and the juvenile, Has a red margin on both the tail and dorsal fin.
length up to 5 inches
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Western Pacific: north to the Ryukyu Islands, through the Philippines, Palau, and Indonesia. Adults found in deep coastal to outer reef drop-offs and steep slopes to 40 m (130 feet) or more, usually in loose aggregations.
CONSERVATION: IUCN; Least concern.
REMARKS: Fairy wrasses, along with 4 other closely related genera, have an unusual eye structure. The cornea is divided into two segments, basically forming a double pupil. It is theorized that the center pupil acts like a close-up lens to give the fish a clear view of its small prey. Fairy wrasses are active during the day, and sleep at night wedged into crevasses protected by a mucous cocoon they secrete around themselves.
References
California Academy of Sciences Philippine coral reef 2016 Charles Delbeek, M.Sc Assistant Curator, Steinhart Aquarium California Academy of Sciences
Ron’s WordPress shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1en
Ron’s flickr www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/13277420973/in/set-7215…
fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/Cirrhilabrus-rubrimarginatus.html
EOL eol.org/pages/213476/hierarchy_entries/44698464/details
Reef Keeping http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/hcs3/
Ron's Critter of the Day 