ID on Flasher Wrasse

Falk · Mar 5, 2026

What type of flasher is this?

Rocks reef · Mar 5, 2026

Going to tag some wrasse experts...
@Slocke
@JoJosReef

JoJosReef · Mar 5, 2026

The crescent caudal fin and filamented dorsla fin have me thinking maybe juvenile cyaneus or filamentosus. I'm guessing not a Bell's since it is deeper red than orange, but I don't know if juveniles show more plain red. @i cant think little help, here!

Falk · Mar 5, 2026

JoJosReef said:
The crescent caudal fin and filamented dorsla fin have me thinking maybe juvenile cyaneus or filamentosus. I'm guessing not a Bell's since it is deeper red than orange, but I don't know if juveniles show more plain red. @i cant think little help, here!

It's over 3 inches long...I was told it came from a shipment Marshall Islands (if any of that helps)- it was supposed to be a male Johnson's Fairy

JoJosReef · Mar 5, 2026

Falk said:
It's over 3 inches long...I was told it came from a shipment Marshall Islands (if any of that helps)- it was supposed to be a male Johnson's Fairy

If that's the case, it could be a Bell's, since they are found in Marshall Islands. Maybe try putting a mirror up and seeing if you can get it flashing? The yellow center of the crescent tail also supports it being a Bell's. Where did you get it and how much did you pay? Bell's are usually around the same level of $$$ as a Johnson's, I think, so you might not have been ripped off.
https://www.underwaterkwaj.com/uw-misc/wrasse/Paracheilinus-bellae.htm

Falk · Mar 5, 2026

JoJosReef said:
If that's the case, it could be a Bell's, since they are found in Marshall Islands. Maybe try putting a mirror up and seeing if you can get it flashing? The yellow center of the crescent tail also supports it being a Bell's. Where did you get it and how much did you pay? Bell's are usually around the same level of $$$ as a Johnson's, I think, so you might not have been ripped off.
https://www.underwaterkwaj.com/uw-misc/wrasse/Paracheilinus-bellae.htm

NY aquatic - it definitely was an honest mistake (I picked up in person a couple of fish). I bought a pair of Johnson's and that was the male. I showed them the picture, and they didn't seem to think it was a Bell. It's a bit more orange on the face and seems to really have 1 filament. They do sell Bells tho.

i cant think · Mar 7, 2026

Falk said:
NY aquatic - it definitely was an honest mistake (I picked up in person a couple of fish). I bought a pair of Johnson's and that was the male. I showed them the picture, and they didn't seem to think it was a Bell. It's a bit more orange on the face and seems to really have 1 filament. They do sell Bells tho.

One thing I don’t recommend is ever being reliant on the filaments - they break off and regrow so easily. When comparing flashers, look at the colouration - the top photo looks to me like a bellae - I’ve seen 3-4 in person through working in the trade, and they’re rarely ever more orange than red.