Cirrhilabrus nahackyi, a new species of labrid fish found at Viti Levu, Fiji, and at Tongatapu in Tonga is described from five specimens, 30.9-65.0 mm SL, captured in 35-50 m depths on outer reef slopes. The new species closely resembles C. bathyphilus from the Coral Sea. However, terminal males differ in having an elevated pennant at the first and second dorsal spine. The male coloration of C. nahackyi also differs with regards to the dorsal and caudal fins. The spinous part of the dorsal fin is dusky yellow and lacks a violet band, while the soft portion of this fin has a distinctive yellow base, and larger red mid-dorsal band, which is not present in C. bathyphilus. Additionally, the caudal fin of the new species is red with only a thin submarginal black line in the upper half of the fin in terminal males compared to a yellow caudal fin in C. bathyphilus, which has blue blotches on the membrane in the upper part and has a broader black submarginal band extending the entire depth of the fin. The dorsal fin of the new species is also slightly longer than that of C. bathyphilus.

Depth range
35- 50 m

Mesophotic “mentions”
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Classification
* Presents original data
* Reports new species
* Focused on 'mesophotic' depth range
* Focused on 'mesophotic coral ecosystem'

Fields
Taxonomy

Focusgroups
Fishes

Locations
Fiji
Tonga

Platforms
Land-based