Lineatus fairy wrasse
Cirrhilabrus lineatus
Also known as Lined Fairy Wrasse, Purplelined Wrasse, Lavender Fairy Wrasse
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 4.7 in
- 12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 90 gal
- 340 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Labridae
- Origin
- Found on deeper outer reef slopes of the western Pacific, from the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea north to the Ryukyu Islands.
Overview
Keep it in a 340 litre or larger reef tank at 23 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4 with a tight fitting lid, as fairy wrasses are strong jumpers. It is fully reef safe and ignores corals and clams, feeding instead on zooplankton, so offer mysis, enriched brine shrimp, and pods two to three times daily. It is peaceful with other fish, but add it as the last wrasse to avoid squabbles with lookalike species.
In the wild
The lineatus fairy wrasse lives on rubble and coral slopes below the surge zone, usually in loose groups led by a dominant male. Males patrol open water above the reef and flare their fins to display, while females stay closer to shelter. It hunts tiny animals drifting in the water column and picks them from the rock. A tank with live rock, open swimming lanes, and a secure lid suits it well.
Good to know
Cirrhilabrus lineatus belongs to the wrasse family Labridae in the large fairy wrasse genus. Males can intensify their colors within seconds during courtship or disputes, a display often called flashing. All fairy wrasses begin as females, and the dominant fish becomes the male.
Did you know
A displaying male can flush his colors far brighter than normal for a few seconds, then fade back once the show is over.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Lineatus fairy wrasse is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Fire shrimp
Lysmata debelius
Saltwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Ring cowrie
Monetaria annulus
Saltwater1.2 in (3 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Pearly jawfish
Opistognathus aurifrons
Saltwater3.9 in (10 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Huchtii anthias
Pseudanthias huchtii
Saltwater4.7 in (12 cm) · 90 gal (340 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Skunk cleaner shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Saltwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Tiger / strawberry conch
Conomurex luhuanus
Saltwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Lineatus fairy wrasse need?
A Lineatus fairy wrasse needs at least 90 gal (340 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Lineatus fairy wrasse need?
A Lineatus fairy wrasse is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Lineatus fairy wrasse get?
An adult Lineatus fairy wrasse reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).
Related species
4.7 in (12 cm)90 gal (340 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Exquisite fairy wrasse
Cirrhilabrus exquisitus
4.7 in (12 cm) · 90 gal (340 L)
5.1 in (13 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)
4.3 in (11 cm)90 gal (340 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Solar fairy wrasse
Cirrhilabrus solorensis
4.3 in (11 cm) · 90 gal (340 L)
3.9 in (10 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)
3.1 in (8 cm)55 gal (208 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Lubbock's fairy wrasse
Cirrhilabrus lubbocki
3.1 in (8 cm) · 55 gal (208 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Social fairy wrasse
Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis
2.8 in (7 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)