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Johnson's fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus johnsoni) — Labridae

Johnson's fairy wrasse

Cirrhilabrus johnsoni
Family: Labridae

The Johnson's fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus johnsoni) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
18.0–28.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Marshall Is.

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Description

The Johnson's fairy wrasse is a fairy wrasse (Labridae) from reef water of the central Pacific, around the Marshall Islands. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, bright red-pink body 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 Johnson's fairy wrasse?

The Johnson's fairy wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Johnson's fairy wrasse live?

The Johnson's fairy wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Marshall Is.

How big does the Johnson's fairy wrasse get?

The Johnson's fairy wrasse grows to a maximum of about 6 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Johnson's fairy wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Johnson's 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

Johnson's fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus johnsoni) — Labridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Johnson's fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus johnsoni) — Labridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Johnson's fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus johnsoni) — Labridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Johnson's fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus johnsoni) — Labridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Johnson's fairy wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Cirrhilabrus johnsoni
Family
Labridae
Other names
Johnson's wrasse sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Average length (cm)
4.7 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)
18.0 verified
Max depth (m)
28.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Marshall Is. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
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

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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