Exquisite Wrasse (juvenile)

The Exquisite Wrasse, Cirrhilabrus exquisitus, is a species of wrasse native to the Indian Ocean from the African coast to the Tuamotus in the Pacific Ocean. It inhabits reefs at depths from 6 to 40 m (20 to 131 ft), though rarely deeper than 10 m (33 ft). This species can reach a standard length of 12 cm (4.7 in). It can be found in the aquarium trade.

Description

A greenish to reddish fairy wrasse with a complex colour pattern. Adult males are olive-green above becoming white, pale blue or pink ventrally, with an oval dark spot on caudal peduncle with its lower edge on the lateral line, a blue line sometimes broken from below the pectoral fin to the peduncular spot, an oblique blue line from the corner of the mouth running above the eye and along the dorsal-fin base, another line from behind the eye breaking up above the pectoral fin, and a third line from the the corner of the mouth to the upper edge of the pectoral-fin base; base of pectoral fin with a blue-edged black bar, pectoral-fin margin red; median fins with a variable amount of red. Juveniles and small females reddish with an oval blue-edged black spot on the caudal peduncle, and a white spot on the tip of the snout.

Habitat

Inhabits mixed coral/rubble areas on seaward reef slopes, usuallyt depths of 2-10 m.

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: East Africa south to Sodwana Bay, South Africa and east to the Tuamoto Islands.

Biology

Occurs over rubble or low patch reefs in areas of current; also on reef edges and around bommies with rubble zones; often in moderately large groups and mixed sex during feeding on zooplankton well above the substrate. Males often display to each other. Reported to be associated with the mushroom Heliofungia actiniformis. Feeds on zooplankton in the water column.