Cirrhilabrus filamentosus (Klausewitz, 1976)
Whip-fin wrasse
Cirrhilabrus filamentosus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Cheilininae
Max. size:  8 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 35 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Description: Male head body red, throat and belly white, dorsal, anal and pelvic fins yellow, caudal fin dark blue with neon-blue bands, spots blue on throat and near anal fin. Female red, spot small black on upper caudal fin base. Dorsal fin middle protrudes into a filament. Caudal fin rounded (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found in deep coastal slopes and is known from deep water trawls, but also lives in shallow muddy estuaries. Usually in small groups of juveniles, females and a single large males. Mixes with other species of Cirrhilabrus or with Paracheilinus to feed above substrate on zooplankton. A spectacular species during display and can change from normal to nuptial in seconds, and back again (Ref. 48636).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 02 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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