| Habitat | Reproduction |
| Behavior | Diver Interaction |

Scott Michael Photo

Alternate Common Names:
scotts wrasse

Family Name:
LABRIDAE
Click Name for Family Profile

Size:
This species attains a total length of 13 cm (5.1 inches).

Distribution:
Coral Sea, Fiji, Samoa, Society and Tuamotu Islands and the Pitcairn group.

Habitat:
This species is most common on the fore reef slope, in water ranging from 3 to 40 m (10 to 132 feet).

Reproduction:
This species pair spawns. It will swim up to 50 cm (20 inches) above the bottom before shedding its gametes.

Feeding:
Scott's fairy wrasse feeds on zooplankton. It swims high in the water column to catch its prey.

Behavior:
Scott's fairy wrasse is typically found in small groups, consisting mainly of females and juveniles, which swim just above the bottom. The larger males will swim up to 3 m (10 feet) over the bottom and display to females and rival males by erecting the dorsal and anal fins. I have also seen solitary individuals associating with schools of finespotted fairy wrasses (Cirrhilabrus punctatus) in the Fijian Islands.

Diver Interaction:
You can usually get fairly close to this fish if you move toward it slowly, but they are very active and rarely stay put for long. They are also commonly seen high in the water column and will usually retreat to hiding places on the sea floor, or swim off if you approach to close.

Best Places to See:
Coral Sea; Fiji Islands; Rarotonga, Cook Islands; Tahiti, French Polynesia

Distinguishing Characteristics:
Females of this species are olive green above, often with slight traces of green, blue and purple. This species is yellowish-white below, it has a bright blue area on top of the head, a red tail and a yellowish orange dorsal and anal fin. Males have a darker body than females, with blue and blue-green on the top of the head, a red streak on the side, a red tail and yellow under the pectoral fins. The color of the males is quite variable. The median fins may have dark borders or lack them and the size of the red blotch on the flank can differ considerably in size. Juveniles are similar to the female but have a dark spot on caudal peduncle, and rows of pinkish white spots along the side. Scott's fairy wrasse has a spine well in front of the dorsal fin above the eye that is erected when the males perform lateral displays.

Remarks:
The blackmargin fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus melanomarginatus) is most similar to this species. It is known from the Philippines to Taiwan and differs from C. scottorum in having a slightly shorter snout, a more oblique angle to the mouth, and in lacking the anterior yellow color on the front of the head and red caudal fin. The black margin fairy wrasse is the largest member of the genus, attaining a maximum length of about 15 cm (5.9 inches).

References:
Randall & Pyle (1988)