Cirrhilabrus claire Randall & Pyle, 2001
Claire's fairy wrasse
photo by Tea, Y.-K.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Cheilininae
Max. size:  8.4 cm SL (male/unsexed); 7.28 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 55 - 100 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Cook Islands and French Polynesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9; Vertebrae: 25-25. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XI,9; A III,9; pectoral fin rays 15; dorsal fin with progressively longer spines, the last 2.2 in head; in males the interspinous membranes not reaching above spine tips; caudal fin rounded; pelvic fin of male 3.0 in SL, of female 4.6 in SL; lateral line scales 17+6; colour of male yellowish dorsally, shading on side to pale lavender-pink; head dusky yellow with purple bands; dorsal fin mainly orange-red with a violet band at base and a narrow dark red margin on spinous and anterior soft portion of fin; caudal fin red with broad distal yellow border containing a submarginal dusky zone in central part; female orange-pink, head suffused with yellow dorsally; a purple band from corner of mouth to upper end of gill opening, then continuing ventrally on edge of opercle; dorsal fin yellow; caudal fin orange, shading outwardly to yellow (Ref. 41654).
Biology:  Found in areas with strong current (Ref. 41654). FishBase common name agreed by authors.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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