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Orange-back fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis) — Labridae

Orange-back fairy wrasse

Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis
Family: Labridae

The Orange-back fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10–25 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia

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Description

The Orange-back fairy wrasse is a fairy wrasse (Labridae) from reef water of the western Pacific, around Sulawesi. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, body with a bright-orange back and purple flanks body; courting males colour up spectacularly. As a plankton feeder it hovers in loose schools above coral and rubble slopes and snaps at small zooplankton. Like many wrasses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Orange-back fairy wrasse?

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

Where does the Orange-back fairy wrasse live?

The Orange-back fairy wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Indonesia

How big does the Orange-back fairy wrasse get?

The Orange-back fairy wrasse grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Orange-back fairy wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Orange-back fairy wrasse is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Orange-back fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis) — Labridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) portioid, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Orange-back fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis) — Labridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) portioid, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Orange-back fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis) — Labridae — 4
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
Orange-back fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis) — Labridae — 5
Francois Libert (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist

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All data

Identification

English name
Orange-back fairy wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis
Family
Labridae
Other names
Orange-back wrasse; Orangeback fairy-warsse verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10 verified
Max depth (m)
25 verified
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. 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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