Exquisite Fairy Wrasse

• ExerciseVery high

  A powerful swimmer that needs a long tank and real swimming space.

• GroomingAttentive tank care

  Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment5–10 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Ich (white spot) · Fin rot · Parasites

The Exquisite Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus exquisitus) has a wide Indo-Pacific range from East Africa to the central Pacific, and reaches about 10 to 12 cm. Colour varies considerably by collection locality, from green with rose highlights to deep red, and males brighten dramatically during display. Fairy wrasses do not sleep in the sand like some relatives but wrap themselves in a mucus cocoon in the rocks at night. Provide 200 litres or more of reef tank with rockwork and open swimming room, at 24-27C, salinity 1.024-1.026, pH 8.1-8.4, with a securely covered top since these fish jump. Feed mysis, enriched brine, copepods and quality pellets two or three times daily. It is reef safe and does not bother corals or clams, but it will hunt small ornamental shrimp. Keep one male, optionally with several females added at the same time, and avoid mixing two males of the same genus in a modest tank.

• How active is a Exquisite Fairy Wrasse?

  Very high. A powerful swimmer that needs a long tank and real swimming space.

• How much maintenance does a Exquisite Fairy Wrasse need?

  Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• What tank size does a Exquisite Fairy Wrasse need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Exquisite Fairy Wrasse a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Exquisite Fairy Wrasse live?

  5–10 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Exquisite Fairy Wrasse?

  Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Parasites. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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