Marjorie's Wrasse

Diagnosis: Dorsal rays XI, 9; anal rays III, 9; pectoral rays 15; lateral line scales 16 + 7; median predorsal scales 5; horizontal scale rows on cheek below eye 2; gill rakers 18 - 19; body depth 3.1 - 3.2 in SL; head length 3.1 - 3.2 in SL; snout length 3.5 - 4.0 in head; caudal fin of females truncate to slightly emarginate, that of males lunate; pelvic fins of both sexes relatively short, not reaching anal fin origin when depressed; diagnostic live color pattern features of males include brilliant red upper half of head and body, greyish white lower, with four or five purplish stripes on lower half of body, yellow caudal fin, and bold black margins on dorsal and caudal fins; females mainly reddish pink with large and caudal fins; females mainly reddish pink with large black spot at base of uppermost caudal fin rays (Ref. 52303).

Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).

Dorsal spines (total): 11; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 9

During a two-week survey, encountered regularly in large numbers at depths between 20-50 meters in association with rubble bottoms. Females particularly common, but are easily overlooked as they remain relatively close to the substrate and often mix with females of Cirrhilabrus punctatus, the most common species of the genus in Fiji. Males are seen in areas of more or less solid live coral cover, although adjacent to rubble patches, In 2000, observed at a depth of 27 meters; habitat of rubble, soft corals (Stereonephthya sp.), hard corals (Fungia sp., Echinopora sp.and Acrhelia horrescens), and small sponges (Ref. 52303).

Marjorie's wrasse, Cirrhilabrus marjorie, is a species of wrasse native to the coral reefs of the Fiji. This species can reach a standard length of 5.8 cm (2.3 in). It can be found at depths from 20 to 50 m (66 to 164 ft), most often between 30 and 36 m (98 and 118 ft). The specific name honours Marjorie Awai, the Curator of the Florida Aquarium, and who was formerly a Curatorial Assistant in the ichthyology Department at the Bishop Museum in Hawaii.