All fish / Labridae

Yellow-striped Fairy Wrasse

Cirrhilabrus luteovittatus

Also known as yellowstripe fairy wrasse, yellow band fairy wrasse, yellow-banded fairy wrasse, yellow striped fairy wrasse, luteovittatus wrasse, pohnpei fairy wrasse, キスジイトヒキベラ, 黄纹丝隆头鱼

Males are a striking reddish-pink to magenta with a bright yellow stripe along the upper body and a long, colourful dorsal fin, while females are plainer. It is a reef-safe, active planktivore that adds bright movement to the open water of a reef tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

11 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, copepods, finely chopped seafood and quality pellets, fed several times daily

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Marshall Islands, Caroline Islands (Pohnpei, Palau), Mariana Islands

Breeding

A protogynous hermaphrodite that lives in harems, with the dominant female changing into a male. Males perform flashing courtship displays and pairs spawn in open water at dusk, but the tiny pelagic larvae are very rarely raised in captivity.

Good to know

Keep a tight-fitting lid as fairy wrasses readily jump. Avoid housing with other male Cirrhilabrus of similar colour, and do not mix with aggressive tankmates such as large dottybacks.