Latin name

Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis

Other names

Sailfin fairy wrasse

Identification

This species differs from its congeners in the following characters: one row of cheek scales; 6 predorsal scales; spines on dorsal fin higher than rays; no filament in middle of dorsal fin; pelvic fins long and reaching to the beginning of anal fin. Vertebrae: 25. These fish have small mouths and very strong teeth.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9.

Fish colouring

The name cyanogularis comes from the Greek word meaning "blue throat", referring to the shiny azure chest of the male. The male Cirrhilabrus cyanogularis has a large blue spot on its throat below the eyes, its head and body are orange to orange-red in color, and the underside of its head is white with a series of thin white stripes. The female is similar to the male, her body is uniformly orange to orange-red with three to four thin white stripes on her back.

Distribution

Indo-West Pacific: Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia.

Habitat

A marine, tropical, reef associated species.

Size

Maximum length: 6,2 cm

Behavior

They live on rubble slopes with weak structure, at a depth of about 30 meters. They live alone, each individual occupying its own territory, which it protects from others. They are diurnal.

Food and feeding habits

Carnivorous. The main diet consists of: Amphipods, copepods, daphnia salina, fish larvae, invertebrates, krill, mysis, zooplankton. 

Reproduction

They reproduce by laying eggs on a rock or in a hole, and some build a nest of algae.

Fishing

It has no commercial value.

Relationship with a person

A species not harmful to humans. It is used in aquariums. These fish are sometimes very aggressive, especially when new individuals enter their environment.