Laboute'S Fairy Wrasse

Upper head and body of females yellowish brown with three magenta stripes; lower head and body lavender and white; subadult females with red stripes and a small black spot at the upper base of the caudal fin. Males exhibit the same linear pattern but the two magenta stripes are edged in yellow, and the ventral portions of the body is deep lavender-pink.

Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8 - 9

Occurs inshore (Ref. 75154).

Found over rubble patches of seaward and back reef slopes (Ref. 9710).

aquarium: commercial

Laboute's wrasse, Cirrhilabrus laboutei, is a species of wrasse native to the coral reefs of New Caledonia and Australia, where it occurs at depths of 7 to 55 m (23 to 180 ft). This species can reach a total length of 12 cm (4.7 in). It can be found in the aquarium trade. The specific name of this fish honours Pierre Laboute who first photographed this species off New Caledonia and gave J.E. Randall advice on where to collect specimens.