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Redfin fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubripinnis) — Labridae

Redfin fairy wrasse

Cirrhilabrus rubripinnis
Family: Labridae

The Redfin fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubripinnis) is a saltwater fish of the family Labridae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–40.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Philippines
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The redfin fairy wrasse is a small, colourful wrasse (Labridae) from the western Pacific, around the Philippines. The species grows to about 9 cm; dominant males are purple-red with a bright-red anal fin and flush in courtship, while females are plainer. As a reef-dweller it hovers in groups above 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 Redfin fairy wrasse?

The Redfin fairy wrasse has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Redfin fairy wrasse live?

The Redfin fairy wrasse lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Indonesia, Philippines

How big does the Redfin fairy wrasse get?

The Redfin fairy wrasse grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Redfin fairy wrasse dangerous to humans?

No, the Redfin 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.

Is the Redfin fairy wrasse edible?

Yes, the Redfin fairy wrasse is commonly eaten.

More photos

Redfin fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubripinnis) — Labridae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Redfin fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubripinnis) — Labridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Redfin fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubripinnis) — Labridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Redfin fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubripinnis) — Labridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Redfin fairy wrasse sourced
Scientific name
Cirrhilabrus rubripinnis
Family
Labridae
Other names
Red-finned wrasse; Redfin wrasse verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.1 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)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, Philippines 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

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 Cirrhilabrus

More from the family Labridae

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