Cirrhilabrus scottorum Randall & Pyle, 1989
Scott's wrasse
Cirrhilabrus scottorum
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Cheilininae
Max. size:  13 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 40 m
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: Great Barrier Reef to the Pitcairn Group.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Body is green posteriorly , shading to dusky blue-green in the middle, and to brighter blue-green anteriorly and on postorbital portion of the head; lower fourth of the body light red; postorbital head and anterior upper half of the body finely speckled with black; snout greenish yellow.
Biology:  More common in outer reef areas than sheltered lagoon reefs. Usually seen in small groups feeding a short distance above the bottom on zooplankton. These groups are composed mainly of females and juveniles. Males in courtship, actively swim up to 3 m or more above the bottom with fins fully erect.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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