Care Level: Moderate

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: Yes

General Description: The Lineatus Fairy Wrasse has a large distribution across the southeastern Pacific Ocean, with the *Super Lineatus Fairy Wrasse coming from the Coral Sea in Australia. Color and price tag vary considerably with Lineatus fairy wrasses depending on their age, sex and where they’re collected. Across most of its range, male Lineatus fairy wrasses will have a violet-red body color with yellowish dorsal and anal fins and fine-thin blue lines throughout the face and body. Females or subadult males are similar, but their colors are duller. Super Lineatus fairy wrasse males from Australia demand the highest price tag among all collection areas for this species. Rest assured though for the price, these specimens come in good health given the more strict fishery guidelines in this region (not to mention we quarantine them for 28 days)! The colors of the Super male are more spectacular than that of the standard male, in addition to more vibrantly colored fins and bolder markings. Like many wrasses in the genus Cirrhilabrus, the Lineatus fairy wrasse is an attractive and peaceful fish that will feel right at home in your reef aquarium. An adult Lineatus fairy wrasse can reach a size of approximately 4″.

Diet Requirements: Lineatus 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. Lineatus fairy wrasses may also accept high quality flake or pellet foods, which is great for nutritional gaps and variety.

Care Requirements: An established, minimum 90 gallon aquarium is required for a Lineatus fairy wrasse. A tight fitting lid is a must because these wrasses are known to jump out of aquariums. Lineatus 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 Lineatus 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 Lineatus 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 Lineatus fairy wrasse before larger or more active fish in order to allow it to acclimate to the environment and begin feeding. Lineatus fairy wrasses are best kept one male per aquarium or one male with several females. This species can be mixed with other fairy wrasses or peaceful wrasses in general with success. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.

Purchase Size: Large: 3-1/2″ to 4″; XLarge: 4″ to 5″

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.