Carpenter's flasher wrasse
| Carpenter's flasher wrasse | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Labriformes |
| Family: | Labridae |
| Genus: | Paracheilinus |
| Species: | P. carpenteri |
| Binomial name | |
| Paracheilinus carpenteri J. E. Randall & Lubbock, 1981 | |
The Carpenter's flasher wrasse, Paracheilinus carpenteri, is a species of wrasse native to the western Pacific Ocean. It can be found on reefs at depths from 27 to 45 m (89 to 148 ft). This species can reach 8 cm (3.1 in) in standard length. It can be found in the aquarium trade.
As with other members of this genus, the "flashing" mating behaviour involves short, quick dashes through the water column by the male whilst concomitantly flaring its fins and intensifying in colour in the presence of females - this behaviour commonly takes place starting from a secure place near reef rocks or the sand bed, "flashing" in the water column, and then returning to the point of origination; this display is thought to attract females and/or stimulate mating. Flashing is much less common in the absence of females, and is considered very visually desirable by many aquarists.