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Deepwater fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus bathyphilus) — Labridae

Deepwater fairy wrasse

Cirrhilabrus bathyphilus
Family: Labridae

The Deepwater fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus bathyphilus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
60.0–217.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The deepwater fairy wrasse is a small, colourful wrasse (Labridae) from deeper reef waters of the Coral Sea in the western Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm; dominant males are red with a paler belly and flush in courtship, while females are plainer. As a reef-dweller it hovers in groups above deep coral-rubble slopes and picks small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans and is prized in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deepwater fairy wrasse?

The Deepwater fairy wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Deepwater fairy wrasse live?

The Deepwater fairy wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Deepwater fairy wrasse get?

The Deepwater fairy wrasse grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Deepwater fairy wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Deepwater fairy wrasse is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Diepwater-sprookjeslipvis sourced
English name
Deepwater fairy wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Cirrhilabrus bathyphilus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Deepwater wrasse sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
60.0 verified
Max depth (m)
217.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cirrhilabrus

More from the family Labridae

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