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Diamond-tail flasher (Paracheilinus attenuatus) — Labridae

Diamond-tail flasher

Paracheilinus attenuatus
Family: Labridae

The Diamond-tail flasher (Paracheilinus attenuatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
21.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Kenya, Seychelles
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Diamond-tail flasher is a flasher wrasse (Labridae) from reef water of the western Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 7 cm and has an elongate, red-pink with blue and yellow lines body; courting males spectacularly spread their fins and flash colour in seconds to impress females. 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 Diamond-tail flasher?

The Diamond-tail flasher has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Diamond-tail flasher live?

The Diamond-tail flasher lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Kenya, Seychelles

How big does the Diamond-tail flasher get?

The Diamond-tail flasher grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Diamond-tail flasher dangerous to humans?

No, the Diamond-tail flasher 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.

Is the Diamond-tail flasher edible?

Yes, the Diamond-tail flasher is commonly eaten.

More photos

Diamond-tail flasher (Paracheilinus attenuatus) — Labridae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Diamond-tail flasher (Paracheilinus attenuatus) — Labridae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Diamond-tail flasher (Paracheilinus attenuatus) — Labridae — 4
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Diamond-tail flasher sourced
Scientific name
Paracheilinus attenuatus
Family
Labridae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
21.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Kenya, Seychelles sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Paracheilinus

More from the family Labridae

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