Flasher Dwarf Parrot - Blue

Known from eastern Sulawesi, Lembeh Strait to the Banggai Islands, and Kalimantan. Occurs on sheltered reefs with mixed low corals and algae-rubble. At Derawan on shallow reef crests in small groups at 6-15m depth. In Lembeh Strait on open, deep sand slopes on patches with mixed low corals and algae-rubble, but mixed with Paracheilinus filamentosus which was much more common during observations. Males display with their spectacular metallic blue backs, swimming frantically to impress females, and dorsal filaments sometimes turn white. Length to about 85mm, excluding tail filaments.