All fish / Labridae

Marjorie's Fairy Wrasse

Cirrhilabrus marjorie

Also known as marjorie's wrasse, marjorie wrasse, marjorie's fairy wrasse, marjories wrasse, fiji fairy wrasse, マージョリーズフェアリーラス

A small fairy wrasse in which males show a bright red to magenta body with yellow and purple tones, while females are more muted pink. It is kept for its colour, its harmless nature and its active swimming in reef tanks, where it is safe with corals and invertebrates.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

150 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 small pellets, fed several times a day

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Fiji and Tonga

Breeding

It is a protogynous hermaphrodite that spawns in the water column, with males flashing colours at dusk. Spawning sometimes happens in aquariums, but raising the tiny pelagic larvae is very difficult and rarely achieved.

Good to know

A tight-fitting lid is essential as fairy wrasses often jump. It is a deep-water species that is fairly uncommon and pricey, and males may fight with other Cirrhilabrus males.