Fairy Wrasse ID Needed - Pic Included

[Browndawg80]

Picked up this wrasse at the LFS yesterday, sold to me as a purple scaled fairy wrasse. Would like to know the exact species. Let me know if you need a better pic. Thanks in advance!

 

[albano]

Not great pic, but looks like ruby headed wrasse

 

[eatbreakfast]

Not great pic, but looks like ruby headed wrasse

I would agree, C. cf. cyanopleura, the ruby headed wrasse, but often sold as a female solorensis.

 

[evolved]

I'm actually thinking a young male Cirrhilabrus luteovittatus.

It could be C. cyanopleura or a variant, however. Really need a better picture to be sure.

 

[Browndawg80]

I will try to get a better picture tonight. FWIW the red/pink patch that shows on the fishes side in the pic is not present on the other side.

 

[Browndawg80]

Better Wrasse pic

Better Wrasse pic

See if these pics will help you narrow it down. Probably as good as I can get with an iPhone. Does the spot that is only on one side indicate an initial phase male turning terminal or is it just an individual variation?

 

[eatbreakfast]

If the discoloration is on only one side it is either an aberration or an injury. I am sticking with my initial id of C. cf. cyanopleura.

 

[evolved]

I am sticking with my initial id of C. cf. cyanopleura.

Yup; I just jumped ship.

 

[Browndawg80]

Ok so we are talking about Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura then. What does the .cf. stand for?

 

[Browndawg80]

Also what is the best QT procedure for this fish? I've read mixed reviews on these wrasses and prazipro and copper. The fish is under observation now and appears to be healthy and is eating everything I offer.

 

[evolved]

Ok so we are talking about Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura then. What does the .cf. stand for?

Latin for "confers", meaning resembles but different. ie - the actual species is yet to be described.

Also what is the best QT procedure for this fish? I've read mixed reviews on these wrasses and prazipro and copper. The fish is under observation now and appears to be healthy and is eating everything I offer.

I always recommend at least 2 rounds of prazi. I tend to avoid copper and don't worry about ich unless it appears. I always QT for a least 6, preferably 8, weeks.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Ok so we are talking about Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura then. What does the .cf. stand for?

The cf stands for confer or compare, so it is not scientifically described yet, but has physical similarities wth cyanopleura, so when being described the taxonomist would look at the scientific description of cyanopleura to see if there are enough differences to warrent a separate species designation.

 

[Browndawg80]

Thanks guys! Learn something new everyday.