Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura (Bleeker, 1851)
Blueside wrasse
Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Cheilininae
Max. size:  15 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 - 30 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Rowely Shoals (Ref. 1602), Similan Islands, Andaman Sea and Christmas Island.; Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, Philippines, Papua New Guinea (Ref. 9710), Palau, Indonesia, and Great Barrier Reef.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-10. Males complexly and brightly colored than the juvenile-female phase; adults with blue-rimmed scales on mid-side of the body; a narrow diagonal blue\purple band at pectoral base and extending below. Median and pelvic fins with light blue or blue green rays. Lateral line interrupted. Median predorsal scales 6. Caudal fin rounded (small individuals) to rhomboidal.
Biology:  Forms aggregations 1 to 2 m above coral or rocky bottoms along edges of lagoon, channel, and outer reef slopes. Feeds on zooplankton in the water column. Sometimes form large schools (Ref. 48636).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 12 May 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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