Golden Curlyfin

Distinguished from C. aprinus by the bright yellow coloration when viewed underwater (Ref. 48636).Description: Characterized by yellow to orange color; large, faint, dusky brown blotches/saddles along back; pair of diffuse brown spots just above operculum; yellowish fins; spotting on soft dorsal; presence of palatine teeth; coarsely serrate posterior margin of preopercle; greatest depth of body 2.2-2.5 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Bi-directional sex change has been confirmed for this species (Ref. 103751). Sexual pattern seem to be intermediate between simultaneous and sequential hermaphroditism: individuals, at least under conditions of captivity, have the capacity to change sex in either direction, from functional male to functional female, or vice versa (Ref. 31569).

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 6

Lives in rocky regions (Ref. 9137).

Occurs on rocky cliffs in deep water (Ref. 9710). Also inhabits muddy substrates in protected bays where wave action has no influence (Ref. 48636). Solitary (Ref 90102).