Home · Labridae · Blue-scaled fairy-wrasse
Blue-scaled fairy-wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura) — Labridae

Blue-scaled fairy-wrasse

Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura
Family: Labridae
DD · Data Deficient

The Blue-scaled fairy-wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The blueside fairy wrasse is a wrasse (Labridae) from the eastern Indian and western Pacific Ocean. The species is handsomely coloured; courting males show bright blue and orange-yellow tints on head and flank. It forms large aggregations one to two metres above coral or rocky bottoms along the edges of lagoons, channels and outer reef slopes. There it catches zooplankton from the current. It is protogynous: females can change into males. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue-scaled fairy-wrasse?

The Blue-scaled fairy-wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Blue-scaled fairy-wrasse live?

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

How big does the Blue-scaled fairy-wrasse get?

The Blue-scaled fairy-wrasse grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Blue-scaled fairy-wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue-scaled fairy-wrasse is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue-scaled fairy-wrasse edible?

The Blue-scaled fairy-wrasse is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwflank-feeenlipvis sourced
English name
Blue-scaled fairy-wrasse verified
Scientific name
Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura
Family
Labridae
Other names
Blue-scaled wrasse; Blueside wrasse; Blue-side wrasse; Coralline wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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