Exquisite fairy wrasse

Care at a glance

Overview

Peaceful toward essentially every tankmate and completely reef safe, never bothering corals, clams, or other invertebrates. Males can be rough on females of their own species introduced after they are already settled in, so add females before or alongside the male rather than afterward, and keep only one Cirrhilabrus male per tank to avoid fighting. Offer enriched mysis and brine shrimp along with marine flake and pellet several times a day. It is a strong, accurate jumper, so a snug-fitting lid is not optional.

In the wild

Ranges across the Indo-Pacific from the East African coast to the Tuamotu Islands, living on reef slopes and lagoons at 6–40 m, most often in the shallower 6–10 m band. It needs a tank of at least 340 litres (90 gallons) with plenty of live rock to graze over, bright lighting with a few shaded ledges to retreat to, and open water above the rock for cruising. As with all fairy wrasses, a tight-fitting canopy is essential, since this fish will find any gap in the lid.

Good to know

Cirrhilabrus exquisitus is a protogynous hermaphrodite, starting life as a female and changing to a male if the dominant male in its group disappears. Terminal males grow larger, more pointed fins and far more color than females: a pale gray-green body with pink and blue markings on the face, red in the dorsal and anal fins, and a black spot at the base of the tail underlined with a blue streak. Adults reach about 12 cm, making this one of the larger fairy wrasses in the trade. Coloration also shifts by collection region, with African and Maldivian fish showing more red and Fijian fish running more blue.

Common questions

Related species

• 

  Lineatus fairy wrasse

  Cirrhilabrus lineatus

  4.7 in (12 cm) · 90 gal (340 L)

  4.7 in (12 cm)90 gal (340 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Scott's fairy wrasse

  Cirrhilabrus scottorum

  5.1 in (13 cm) · 90 gal (340 L)

  5.1 in (13 cm)90 gal (340 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Solar fairy wrasse

  Cirrhilabrus solorensis

  4.3 in (11 cm) · 90 gal (340 L)

  4.3 in (11 cm)90 gal (340 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Flame fairy wrasse

  Cirrhilabrus jordani

  3.9 in (10 cm) · 90 gal (340 L)

  3.9 in (10 cm)90 gal (340 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Lubbock's fairy wrasse

  Cirrhilabrus lubbocki

  3.1 in (8 cm) · 55 gal (208 L)

  3.1 in (8 cm)55 gal (208 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Social fairy wrasse

  Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis

  2.8 in (7 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)

  2.8 in (7 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)