Laboute's fairy wrasse

Cirrhilabrus laboutei

Also known as labout's fairy wrasse, laboute's wrasse, labouti fairy wrasse, laboutei wrasse, laboute fairy wrasse, new caledonian fairy wrasse, ラボウテイ, 拉氏丝隆头鱼

Tankmates, for sale near you Identify a fish from a photo

Males are some of the most colourful fairy wrasses, with a pink to purple body crossed by bright magenta and yellow bands and a reddish head. They swim openly in midwater, leave corals and invertebrates alone and make a showy, reef-safe centrepiece.

Care at a glance

Care level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Adult size: 10 cm
Temperature: 23 to 27 °C
pH: 8.1 to 8.4
Smallest tank: 300 litres
Keep as: One male with one or more females; only one male per tank
Diet: Carnivore: mysis, enriched brine shrimp, chopped seafood, copepods and quality marine pellets, fed several times a day
Swims: Middle of the tank
Lifespan: 5 to 8 years
Water: Marine (saltwater)
Wild range: New Caledonia, Loyalty Islands and the southern Great Barrier Reef area (Coral Sea)

Breeding

A protogynous hermaphrodite that lives in harems, with the dominant female turning male if no male is present. Pairs spawn in the water column at dusk and release pelagic eggs, but rearing the larvae has rarely if ever been achieved at home.

Good to know

Like other fairy wrasses it jumps readily, so a tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is essential. Wild fish from a small range are fairly expensive, and two males in one tank will fight.