Family : Labridae (Wrasses) , subfamily: Cheilininae
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Exquisite wrasse
Fish Name : Cirrhilabrus exquisitus
Max size : 12.0 cm SL (male/unsexed; Ref. 9823)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range 6 - 40 m
Climate : tropical; 33°N - 24°S
Global Importance : aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)Distribution : Indo-Pacific: East Africa south to Sodwana Bay, South Africa (Ref. 4392) and east to the Tuamoto Islands.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Large oval black spot on caudal peduncle just above lateral line (Ref. 4392). A closely related undescribed species occurs in west and central Pacific; differs in color, greatest between nuptial males (Ref. 48636).
Biology : Occurs over rubble or low patch reefs in areas of current (Ref. 9823); also on reef edges and around bommies with rubble zones (Ref. 48636); often in moderately large groups and mixed sex during feeding on zooplankton well above the substrate. Males often display to each other (Ref. 48636). Feeds on zooplankton in the water column (Ref. 9823)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator : Westneat, Mark
Main Ref : Randall, J.E.. 1992. (Ref. 5278)

India country information
Common Names : [ No common name ]
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses