NEW SPECIES DISCOVERY
Rose-veiled fairy wrasse
WHAT IS IT?
Originally thought to be an adult of a different fairy wrasse species, Cirrhilabrus rubrisquamis, further analysis of both adults and juveniles of this beautiful fish has revealed that it is in fact a separate species. It has been named the rose-veiled fairy wrasse, Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa.
WHERE IS IT?
The new species lives on ‘twilight zone’ reefs 50 to 150 metres deep off the coast of the Maldives, and is one of the first-ever to be formally described by a Maldivian researcher. Ahmed Najeeb from the Maldives Marine Research Institute collaborated with scientists from the California Academy of Sciences, the University of Sydney, and Chicago’s Field Museum.
WHAT IS THE MEANING BEHIND THE SCIENTIFIC NAME?
The species name ‘finifenmaa’ is derived from the local Dhivehi language and means ‘pink rose’. This is a nod to both the Maldives’ national flower and the stunning pink hues of the wrasse. It is one of the first species to be named in the Maldivian language.
Find out more: bit.ly/RoseVeiledFairyWrasse