All fish / Labridae

Adorned Fairy Wrasse

Cirrhilabrus adornatus

Also known as adorned wrasse, adornatus fairy wrasse, indonesian fairy wrasse, red-fin fairy wrasse, 丽饰丝鳍鹦鲷

A small fairy wrasse in which males show a reddish orange body with a dark-edged, colourful dorsal and anal fins and purplish highlights, while females are plainer and pinker. It is kept for its bright colours, active open-water swimming and safe behaviour with corals and invertebrates.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

One male with one or more females

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped seafood and quality pellets, fed several times a day

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Eastern Indian Ocean: southern Sumatra and Java, Indonesia

Breeding

It is a protogynous hermaphrodite that spawns in the water column, with males displaying to females at dusk. Pairs may spawn in home aquariums, but rearing the tiny pelagic larvae is very difficult and rarely achieved.

Good to know

Like other fairy wrasses it is an expert jumper, so a tightly fitting lid is essential; avoid keeping two males in the same tank unless it is very large. It has a limited range and is less often imported than common Cirrhilabrus species.