All fish / Labridae

Earle's Fairy Wrasse

Cirrhilabrus earlei

Also known as earle's fairy wrasse, earl's fairy wrasse, earlei fairy wrasse, earle's wrasse, earlei wrasse, アールズフェアリーラス, 厄尔氏丝鳍鹦鲷

A small, deep-water fairy wrasse that males show off in red, yellow and magenta with blue-edged fins and pale stripes along the body. It is rare and sought after by reef keepers because it is reef safe, active in open water and gives striking displays.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

One male, alone or with several females

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, quality frozen and pellet foods several times a day

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 7 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Palau and Micronesia (Caroline Islands)

Breeding

It is a protogynous hermaphrodite and pairs spawn in open water at dusk, releasing floating eggs. Captive breeding is rare and the larvae are very hard to raise.

Good to know

Like other fairy wrasses it jumps readily, so use a tight-fitting lid. Because it is collected from deep reefs it can be costly and needs careful, slow acclimation.