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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
Range
Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia

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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. Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia

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. 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

Deepwater fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus bathyphilus) — Labridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Nicolas Charpin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Deepwater fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus bathyphilus) — Labridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Nicolas Charpin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Deepwater fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus bathyphilus) — Labridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Pierre-Louis Stenger, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Deepwater fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus bathyphilus) — Labridae — 5
F. Walsh (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Fin

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All data

Identification

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
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

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

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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