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Finless fairy wrasse (Conniella apterygia) — Labridae

Finless fairy wrasse

Conniella apterygia
Family: Labridae

The Finless fairy wrasse (Conniella apterygia) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
30.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

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Description

The finless fairy wrasse is a fairy wrasse (Labridae) from reef water of the remote Rowley Shoals off northwestern Australia. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, red-pink to orange body; remarkably it entirely lacks the pelvic fins and their supporting girdle. As a day-active fish it hovers in small groups above coral and rubble slopes and snaps at small zooplankton in the current. Like many wrasses a female can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Finless fairy wrasse?

The Finless fairy wrasse has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Finless fairy wrasse live?

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

How big does the Finless fairy wrasse get?

The Finless fairy wrasse grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Finless fairy wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Finless 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Finless fairy wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Conniella apterygia
Family
Labridae
Other names
Mutant wrasse; Rowley Shoals wrasse; Connie's wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
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

More from the family Labridae

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