Pintail fairy-wrasse
📖 Overview
Pintail fairy-wrasse (Cirrhilabrus isosceles), first described by Tea, Senou & Greene, 2016 is a small fish in the family Labridae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 10.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 24 to 60 metres. It occurs in Subtropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. The species is important as a food fish. As a member of the Labridae, it shares life-history and morphological traits with its relatives in the group.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D XI,9; A III,9 except holotype with III,8; pectoral-fin rays 14-15; lateral line interrupted with 16-17 + 6-8 scales; median predorsal scales 4-5; 2 horizontal scale rows on cheek below eye; gill rakers 15; body depth 29-34% SL; head length 29-36% SL; snout length 9-11% SL; caudal fin of terminal-phase (TP) male is broadly lanceolate, i.e. rhomboidal with an extension of central rays; pelvic fins are relatively short, not reaching anal-fin origin when depressed; colour of TP male in life orange-yellow dorsally suffusing to lavender ventrally; a bright pink-to-purplish stripe at rest and dead, but blue in life and especially when displaying, extending posteriorly from upper orbit across head before making an oblique downward slant behind pectoral-fin base, and then continuing just below mid-lateral line to base of caudal fin; a prominent long mid-dorsal-fin basal dark spot, with a mostly lavender blotch on upper body below spot; colour of initial-phase fish mainly uniformly orange with faint stripes along dorsum and weak manifestation of medial stripe .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Pintail fairy-wrasse is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 24 - 60 m . Subtropical; 22°C - 27°C south to the Ryukyu Archipelago (Yaeyama Islands and Okinawa), Taiwan (Green Island), and the Philippines.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Cirrhilabrus Isosceles is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Pintail fairy-wrasse is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Pintail fairy-wrasse has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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