[3][4] It was first collected off the coast of Zanzibar, Tanzania by scientists from the California Academy of Sciences.

[6][7] Based on a small number of measured specimens, C. wakanda is up to about 7 cm (2.8 in) in standard length.

[3] A purple chain-link scale pattern is present, resembling the suit worn by the fictional superhero, Black Panther.

[8] In comparison with other closely related species in the genus, the mitochondrial DNA of Cirrhilabrus wakanda differs from C. rubrisquamis by 0.6%, from C. blatteus by 1.9%, and from C. sanguineus by 1.5%.

Consequently, a detailed, direct comparison with true C. rubrisquamis is lacking, but their appearance is very similar and it is possible that C. wakanda is a junior synonym of C.