Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
General Description: The Golden Rhomboid Fairy Wrasse, also known as the Golden Fairy Wrasse, has a small natural range around the Marshall Islands in the western central Pacific Ocean. Due to this limited distribution and therefore collection area, the Golden rhomboid wrasse boasts a high price tag when it becomes available in the aquarium trade. Like many wrasses in the genus Cirrhilabrus, the Golden rhomboid fairy wrasse is an attractive and peaceful fish that will feel right at home in your reef aquarium. At any age and sex, the Golden rhomboid wrasse has a golden-yellow body and a purple-blue hue in its face with electric yellow markings. Terminal males, however, are slightly more attractive as they have more purple-blue throughout the body, exceptionally pronounced facial markings, and a diamond shaped tail. An adult Golden rhomboid fairy wrasse can reach a size of approximately 4″.
Diet Requirements: Golden rhomboid 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. Golden rhomboid 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 a Golden rhomboid fairy wrasse. A tight fitting lid is a must because these wrasses are known to jump out of aquariums. Golden rhomboid fairy wrasses enjoy a variety of rock work and crevices to swim through and around while they hunt, but such live rock arrangements can also help to make it feel secure and encourage more outgoing behavior. The Golden rhomboid 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 and timid nature, a Golden rhomboid fairy wrasse can be easily bullied and therefore should not be kept with overly aggressive species, especially those that can outcompete it in food resources. It is best to add a Golden rhomboid fairy wrasse before larger or more active fish in order to allow it to acclimate to the environment and begin feeding. Rhomboid fairy wrasses are best kept one male per aquarium or one male with several females. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Purchase Size: Large Male: 3″ to 3-1/2″
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.
