Cirrhilabrus squirei is a captivating species of fairy wrasse found in the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea. It was first discovered and collected by Cairns Marine of Australia. This delightful wrasse species is named after Lyle Squire and the Squire family, who own and founded Cairns Marine.
Here are some key features of the Cirrhilabrus squirei:
- Appearance: It boasts a reddish-orange coloration and stands out with its lyre-shaped tail adorned with elongated yellow filaments. The yellow fins are beautifully accented with black and lavender-black markings.
- Unique Trait: Among fairy wrasses, C. squirei is one of only four species that sport a lyre-shaped tail. The others in this exclusive club are Cirrhilabrus johnsoni, C. lunatus, and C. brunneus.
- Distribution: While it closely resembles Johnson’s fairy wrasse, C. squirei is differentiated by its location, larger size, and the distinct yellow fins with black and lavender markings.
Interestingly, Cirrhilabrus squirei garnered attention even before its official scientific description. Aquarium enthusiasts had the pleasure of encountering this fairy wrasse well before it was formally documented. A true underwater gem!
