Cirrhilabrus punctatus Randall & Kuiter, 1989
Dotted wrasse
Cirrhilabrus punctatus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Cheilininae
Max. size:  13 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 78 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: New South Wales, Australia to southern Guinea, Fiji and Tonga.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Pelvic fins in male very long, often half or more of standard length. Upper three-fourths of the body dark gray to reddish with pink to blue dots, lower fourth white; a black spot at the base of the pectoral fins; females and juveniles with a black spot at the upper base of the caudal fin.
Biology:  Found over coral or rubble of shallow protected reefs, occasionally in exposed areas (Ref. 9710).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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