Flamboyant fishes evolved an explosion of color as seas rose and fell
The feisty fairy wrasses became a neon kaleidoscope thanks to a coral reef "species pump"
![male fairy wrasse fish](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/031921_JB_fairy-wrasse_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
Male fairy wrasses (Cirrhilabrus) vary widely in their bright color patterns, as seen in this assortment of many different fairy wrasse species.
Yi-Kai Tea