Picture of the Week, Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lineatus)

Pictured in this AquaNerd Picture of the Week is one of my favorite fish, the Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lineatus). This fish can be very beautiful, though the females of the species are nowhere near as pretty as the males, which is typical of just about all fish and wrasses especially. In terms of rarity, the Lineatus Fairy Wrasse has a limited distribution around the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea, and tends to not be very common in the aquarium trade. They are seen on stock lists from wholesalers with some irregularity, and these are often only the females and there are usually only a couple to be had. This drives the price per fish to over $200 in most cases. This particular individual photographed is either a female or sub-dominant male. The super dominant males of this species is far more colorful and is quite a sight in a salty aquarium.