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Exquisite fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus exquisitus) — Labridae

Exquisite fairy wrasse

Cirrhilabrus exquisitus
Family: Labridae

The Exquisite fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus exquisitus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The exquisite fairy wrasse is a small, colourful wrasse (Labridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm; dominant males are green with red, blue and yellow tones and flush spectacularly in courtship, while females are plainer. As a reef-dweller it hovers in groups above coral-rich slopes and picks small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans and is loved in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Exquisite fairy wrasse?

The Exquisite fairy wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly green.

Where does the Exquisite fairy wrasse live?

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

How big does the Exquisite fairy wrasse get?

The Exquisite fairy wrasse grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Exquisite fairy wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Exquisite fairy wrasse is harmless to humans.

Is the Exquisite fairy wrasse edible?

Yes, the Exquisite fairy wrasse is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sierlijke sprookjeslipvis sourced
English name
Exquisite fairy wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Cirrhilabrus exquisitus
Family
Labridae
Other names
Exquisite wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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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