Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa Tea, Najeeb, Rowlett & Rocha, 2022
Rose-veiled fairy wrasse

Family:  Labridae (Wrasses), subfamily: Cheilininae
Max. size:  7.67 cm SL (male/unsexed); 5.72 cm SL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 40 - 70 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: Maldives and Sri Lsnka.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 9-9; Vertebrae: 25-25. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: males with anterior third to half of body bright magenta and peach to orange-pink posteriorly; lateral line pored scales 22-26 (dorso-anterior series 16-18, posterior peduncular series 6-8); tenth to eleventh dorsal-fin spine longest (14.0-15.5% SL); with scales on the opercle, chest, isthmus, and anterior third of the body with a dark purple-red central region, the markings joining to form a crosshatched appearance (purple in alcohol); dorsal, caudal, anal, and pelvic-fin rays purple in alcohol (Ref. 125961).
Biology:  Found mostly in mesophotic coral ecosystems and likely to occur in greater depths. Like other Cirrhilabrus species, it frequents rubble bottoms scattered with loose coral cover (Ref. 125961).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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