Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
General Description: The Exquisite Fairy Wrasse has a wide geographic distribution with coloration and price varying according to location. Generally speaking, individuals from Africa and the Maldives have more bright red markings on the body than those from Fiji or Indonesia. Exquisite fairy wrasses from Fiji tend to me more blue in color, while those from Indonesia are more green. Individuals in the ‘Initial Phase’ have yet to mature into their vibrant coloration. Females, or juveniles, tend to be less boldly marked than males. Like many wrasses in the genus Cirrhilabrus, the Exquisite fairy wrasse is an attractive, peaceful and active fish that will feel right at home in your reef aquarium and pose no threat to corals or invertebrates. Exquisite fairy wrasses can reach a size of approximately 5″.
Diet Requirements: Exquisite fairy wrasses are carnivores, actively hunting tiny crustaceans (e.g., copepods) throughout the day. A diet consisting of various meaty preparations such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and other mixed frozen foods that contain algae, such as spirulina, will maintain optimal health and coloration. We highly encourage soaking frozen foods in vitamin and fatty acid supplements, as fairy wrasses have very high metabolisms. Multiple, small feedings per day rather than one large feeding can also help and in turn create more of a natural environment for a fairy wrasse as it would feed in the wild. Exquisite fairy wrasses may also accept high quality flake or pellet foods, which is great for nutritional gaps and variety.
Care Requirements: An established, minimum 75 gallon aquarium is required for an Exquisite fairy wrasse. A tight fitting lid is a must because these wrasses are known to jump out of aquariums. Exquisite fairy wrasses enjoy a variety of rock work and crevices to swim through and around. Such live rock arrangements can also help to make it feel secure and encourage more outgoing behavior quicker. The Exquisite fairy wrasse is not tolerable of nitrite or ammonia spikes, and an established tank also offers microinvertebrates and crustaceans that naturally accumulate over time as the aquarium ages for it to prey on. Given their peaceful nature, an Exquisite fairy wrasse can be easily bullied and therefore should not be kept with overly aggressive species. It is best to add an Exquisite fairy wrasse before larger or more active fish in order to allow it to acclimate to the environment. Exquisite fairy wrasses are best kept one male per aquarium and solitary, unless you can positively identify male from female, to which a male with multiple females can be grouped together. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Purchase Size: Medium: 2″ to 3″; Large: 3-1/4″ to 4″
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.
