Encyclopedia Species Profile 566


REDHEAD FAIRY WRASSE (MALE)
(Cirrhilabrus solorensis )

| Habitat | Reproduction |
| Behavior | Diver Interaction |

Scott Michael Photo


Alternate Common Names:
solar fairy wrasse, red-eyed fairy wrasse

Family Name:
LABRIDAE
Click Name for Family Profile

Size:
This speceis attains a maximum length of 13 cm (5.1 inches).

Distribution:
Indonesia, from Bali, Sulawesi and the Flores regions.

Habitat:
The redhead fairy wrasse occurs on the fore reef slopes of coastal reefs at depths from 3 to 20 m (10 to 66 feet). It is often found over rubble bottoms, algae and sponge beds or stands of large-polyped stony corals.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
This species was once considered to be a color variant of the bluehead fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura). In C. solorensis males generally, but not always, have a dark red head, a purple crescent-shaped mark along the edge of the gill cover and onto the throat. It also has greenish flanks and a white belly. Small females are red with a small, black spot on upper caudal peduncle and a white ventrum and larger females have a reddish head, yellowish-orange back and purplish or blue ventrum. The color of this species can vary, but all of the color forms have bright red eyes.

Remarks:

References:
Kuiter & Debelius (1994)

There's more information available on this species!
  • LABRIDAE family description
  • general behaviors
  • reproduction behavior
  • feeding characteristics
  • best places to see this fish
  • interaction with divers
  • in-depth feature articles
  • video clips
  • More!

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