Let Me ID Your Wrasse!

evolved · Jan 27, 2016

Mike_J said:
Katherine's Fairy Wrasse and this is what came.

Well, in fairness, that's what the whole last batch of these were labeled as...

NYAquatic · Jan 28, 2016

In order to further this fascinating discussion, I'll throw my $0.02
I sold the wrasse.
It came in as Katherines, and I sold it as such.
I do not believe it's a Temmincki.
All the temmincki I've seen coming out of Philipines have a distinct green line from front to back.
Kind of like this

It's not a text book Katherine (if one could find a textbook that had Katherines), but to me, that's still the best guess.
I've handled under 10 of these, so not a ton of experience.
But the ones I've seen vary greatly in coloring.
Kind of like Scott's fairies.

Anyway, just thought I'd stir the pot so to speak.

eatbreakfast · Jan 28, 2016

There are quite a few temminckii variants.

This article does a good job of identifying them. Though it is my strong belier that the Cebu temminckii and the Ryukyu katherineae are the same fish.
https://reefbuilders.com/2015/09/29/32-fairy-wrasses-temminckii-group/

evolved · Jan 28, 2016

The whole temminckii complex is a confusing mess.

I'm of the opinion katherinae isn't a "real" thing either, but I've seen both sides of the fence labeled as such; cf. temminckii and balteatus.

scranton · Jan 28, 2016

scranton · Jan 28, 2016

evolved · Jan 28, 2016

Cirrhilabrus cf. lunatus; (Philippine variant).

evolved · Jan 28, 2016

And the latter one is Cirrhilabrus cf. lanceolatus (soon to be described as C. isosceles).

It's worth noting both of those species are close cousins (cf. lunatus and cf. lanceolatus).