Cirrhilabrus pylei

Cirrhilabrus pylei
Cirrhilabrus briangreenei, a species that historically was confused with C. pylei (see text)
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Labriformes
Family:	Labridae
Genus:	Cirrhilabrus
Species:	C. pylei
Binomial name
Cirrhilabrus pylei G. R. Allen & J. E. Randall, 1996

Cirrhilabrus pylei, commonly called the blue-margin fairy-wrasse or Pyle's wrasse,^[2] is a species of fairy wrasse. It can be found in depths of 55 to 82 m (180–269 ft) in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu;^[1] reports from the Philippines is due to confusion with C. briangreenei.^[3] C. pylei can be kept in aquariums and is known for its peaceful temperament. The fish has also been known to jump from tanks.

C. pylei has a typical adult length of 3 to 5 in (7.6–12.7 cm).^[4] The species has 11 dorsal spines, nine dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines, and 9 anal soft rays.^[5] The species has a coloration of peach to salmon.^[6] Until 2020, it was commonly confused with C. briangreenei of the Philippines; the most distinct differences are that adult males of C. briangreenei have a large blackish spot on the dorsal fin and a blackish tip of the tail, which are lacking in C. pylei.^[3][7]

The species is carnivorous and in an aquarium setting it will feed on small animal prey like brine shrimp and mysis shrimp.^[8]

The specific name of this fish honours the ichthyologist Richard Pyle.^[5] of the Bishop Museum (Honolulu), who collected type specimen.^[9]