Whip Fin Wrasse

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).

Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8

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).

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).

The whip-fin wrasse (Cirrhilabrus filamentosus) is a species of wrasse endemic to Indonesia, where it is only known from the waters of the Java Sea. This species inhabits reefs and can be found at depths from 10 to 35 m (33 to 115 ft). It can reach 8 cm (3.1 in) in total length. Both its common name and its specific name refer to the long filament extending from the tenth and eleventh rays of the dorsal fin.