All fish / Labridae

Social Fairy Wrasse

Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis

Also known as red-velvet fairy wrasse, longfin fairy wrasse, social wrasse, rubriventralis wrasse, red-belly fairy wrasse, sri lanka fairy wrasse, red sea fairy wrasse, クジャクベラ, 红腹丝隆头鱼

A small, slim wrasse whose males show a bright red belly, purple and yellow flanks and long, sail-like pelvic and dorsal fins used in courtship displays. It is kept because it is colourful, active in open water and safe with corals and invertebrates in reef tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

7.5 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

One male with two or more females

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, quality pellets and flakes fed several times daily

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Red Sea and western Indian Ocean (Sri Lanka, Maldives)

Breeding

It is a protogynous hermaphrodite that spawns in pairs in open water at dusk, releasing pelagic eggs. Spawning happens in aquariums but raising the tiny larvae is very difficult and rarely achieved.

Good to know

Fairy wrasses jump readily, so a tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is essential. Keep only one male per tank unless the tank is large, and avoid housing with aggressive dottybacks or larger wrasses.