Cirrhilabrus species, the fairy wrasses
Perhaps one of the most popular members of the family Labridae are the fairy wrasses. Only becoming common to aquarists in the last few years, they can be a very prized addition to any tank.
The popularity of these wrasses is for several reasons. First and foremost is the brilliant coloration these fish possess. Males especially can have stunning markings. Another attractive feature of the fairy wrasses is that they are considered to be reef safe. Unlike other wrasse species, the fairy wrasses are not as dependant on small invertebrates for food, and will not decimate beneficial life in sandbeds or on live rock (worms, crustacea, copepods, etc). It will not compete for food with other popular pod-feeding reef fish such as mandarins.
Fairy wrasses normally accept a wide range of prepared aquarium foods, including frozen mysis and brine shrimp, and other meaty foods. They eat greedily, and should be fed twice a day or so.
Though hardy once acclimated, fairy wrasses have a somewhat spotty record in captivity. One of the reasons is that they are very poor shippers. It is recommended that they are shipped in large bags of water, as confined areas seem to stress them. Additionally, they are notorious jumpers. They frighten easily, and may leap out of an uncovered tank to their keeper's chagrin.
Fairy wrasses are known as protogynous hermaphrodites, in other words, all are born as females but some will convert to males for breeding. Males will fight to the death, or one may revert back to the female sex. One drawback of keeping these wrasses is while the males have beautiful coloration, this coloration may fade unless in the
presence of females.
There are about 30 species of fairy wrasses, with some of the more popular species being:
c. scottorum Scotts fairy wrasse
c. solorensis Red-headed fairy wrasse
c. jordani flame wrasse
Most reach a length of about 6 inches and may be intolerant of other fairy wrasses in the same tank, but probably will ignore other Labridae genera.
Perhaps one of the most popular members of the family Labridae are the fairy wrasses. Only becoming common to aquarists in the last few years, they can be a very prized addition to any tank.
The popularity of these wrasses is for several reasons. First and foremost is the brilliant coloration these fish possess. Males especially can have stunning markings. Another attractive feature of the fairy wrasses is that they are considered to be reef safe. Unlike other wrasse species, the fairy wrasses are not as dependant on small invertebrates for food, and will not decimate beneficial life in sandbeds or on live rock (worms, crustacea, copepods, etc). It will not compete for food with other popular pod-feeding reef fish such as mandarins.
Fairy wrasses normally accept a wide range of prepared aquarium foods, including frozen mysis and brine shrimp, and other meaty foods. They eat greedily, and should be fed twice a day or so.
Though hardy once acclimated, fairy wrasses have a somewhat spotty record in captivity. One of the reasons is that they are very poor shippers. It is recommended that they are shipped in large bags of water, as confined areas seem to stress them. Additionally, they are notorious jumpers. They frighten easily, and may leap out of an uncovered tank to their keeper's chagrin.
Fairy wrasses are known as protogynous hermaphrodites, in other words, all are born as females but some will convert to males for breeding. Males will fight to the death, or one may revert back to the female sex. One drawback of keeping these wrasses is while the males have beautiful coloration, this coloration may fade unless in the
presence of females.
There are about 30 species of fairy wrasses, with some of the more popular species being:
c. scottorum Scotts fairy wrasse
c. solorensis Red-headed fairy wrasse
c. jordani flame wrasse
Most reach a length of about 6 inches and may be intolerant of other fairy wrasses in the same tank, but probably will ignore other Labridae genera.