All fish / Labridae

Pyle's Fairy Wrasse

Cirrhilabrus pylei

Also known as pyle's wrasse, pyles fairy wrasse, pyle fairy wrasse, pylei wrasse, pyle's flasher wrasse, パイルズ・フェアリーラス, 派氏丝隆头鱼

Pyle's fairy wrasse is a slim, active wrasse found on fairly deep reef slopes. Males show orange to red bodies with yellow and purple tones and long, colourful pelvic and dorsal fins that they flash when displaying. It is valued as a reef-safe, colourful fish that stays in open water where it is easy to see.

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

200 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 marine pellets, fed several times a day

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western and central Pacific: Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Fiji and nearby islands

Breeding

Like other fairy wrasses it is a protogynous hermaphrodite, so females can change into males, and pairs spawn in open water at dusk with buoyant eggs. Spawning displays happen in aquariums, but rearing the tiny pelagic larvae has rarely been achieved at home.

Good to know

Fairy wrasses are skilled jumpers, so a tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is essential. Keep only one male per tank unless the tank is very large, and avoid housing it with aggressive dottybacks or large predators.