Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
General Description: The Red Velvet Fairy Wrasse, also referred to the Rosy-scaled Fairy Wrasse, has a small geographic range within the Indian Ocean around the Maldives and the Chagos Archipelago. Here, they are a deeper water species found up to 150 feet (45 meters) along coastal slopes feeding on zooplankton. Generally speaking, male Red velvet fairy wrasses tend to have a maroon-pink body with purple-blue dorsal, anal and caudal fins and an extremely dark rose-red face. Very mature males will have a dark edge develop along each scale near the front of the fish giving it a “velvet” appearance for which it is named. Females are duller, tending to be a more muted pink-red color overall. Like many wrasses in the genus Cirrhilabrus, the Red velvet 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. Red velvet fairy wrasses can reach a size of approximately 4″. Note: This species is infrequently available.
Diet Requirements: Red velvet 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. Red velvet 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 Red velvet fairy wrasse. A tight fitting lid is a must because these wrasses are known to jump out of aquariums. Red velvet fairy wrasses enjoy a variety of rock work and crevices to swim through and around, but this rock also provides shaded areas away from the aquarium lights that this wrasse will appreciate being a deeper water species. Such live rock arrangements can also help to make it feel secure and encourage more outgoing behavior quicker. The Red velvet 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, a Red velvet fairy wrasse can be easily bullied and therefore should not be kept with overly aggressive species. It is best to add a Red velvet fairy wrasse before larger or more active fish in order to allow it to acclimate to the environment. Red velvet 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″ to 4″
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.
