IMPRESSIVE NEW FLASHER WRASSES SPECIES FOUND IN THE INDO-PACIFIC
The species in the genus Paracheilinus are appropriately called flasher wrasses (or simply flashers), and they are very closely related to fairy wrasses of the genus Cirrhilabrus.
This common name is derived from their grandeur “flashing” behavior observed during courting or mating where the male will make quick, exaggerated lateral moves while intensifying his colors and erecting his fins to attract a mate.
Paracheilinus xanthocirritus - Currently known from the South China Sea at the Anambas Islands, Indonesia In the picture, two nuptial male Paracheilinus xanthocirritus
Paracheilinus paineorum with a wide distribution throughout central Indonesia in the picture a male courting female (left)
Paracheilinus alfianiis currently known only from the type locality on the northern coast of Lembata Island in the Lesser Sunda Group of Indonesia
“one stormy night my girlfriend saw what we thought was a dead sparrow below our balcony. he was barely breathing, covered in ants and completely blind.
“we brought him home and put him in a box. after spending a night in our bedroom, he woke us up with high pitched tweeting. we tried feeding him, but without any luck, so we placed him on our balcony. he continued tweeting non stop for three hours.
“finally, his father found him and started feeding him. he brought his chick huge bugs and bread every 10-15 minutes all day long for two weeks straight.
“he was getting bigger every day, but he was still blind. i called a vet, and he told me to try simple eye drops. it worked like a charm! he even started hiding from us behind our flowers. soon, his father started showing him how to fly trough the window.
“one day he just left – we knew this day would come eventually. we became really worried because that same night, and for the next few days, there was really stormy weather. however, three days later, he came back and fell asleep in one of our pots.”
