Fairy Wrasses

[snorvich]

Fairy Wrasses

Fairy Wrasses belong to the family Labridae. They are relatively small, and most species are both sexually dimorphic and dichromatic. Fairy wrasses usually occur in large groups in the wild often with a variety of intermingled species. These fish are planktivores. The coloration of juveniles and females is often very similar which makes it difficult to determine what species you have in some cases. Most species (with some exceptions that are highly aggressive) are ideally suited to the home aquarium although they will do best if housed with a male and multiple females of the same species. They are not compatible with other small planktivores such as basslets or dottybacks and can often intimidate firefish. Best if fed multiple times per day. Those whose body coloration is blue based lose the most coloration absent a female, and when illuminated under very intense lighting. When kept as a harem, they will display nuptial colors which can, under proper circumstances become semi-permanent.

Q.: Are fairy and flasher wrasses different?
A.: Yes. Flasher wrasses are a member of the genus Paracheilinus and there are 16 currently identified. Fairy wrasses are a member of the genus Cirrhilabrus. There are about 50 currently identified with more coming along frequently.

Q.: Are the personalities of all fairy wrasses the same?
A.: No, some are docile, some are very aggressive. In general, the females are more aggressive than the males. The more aggressive ones such as C. scottorum may eventually become intolerant of other fairy and flasher wrasses. More often though, you can mix and match fairy and flasher wrasses with no problem. The best way to introduce new ones is using an an acrylic acclimation chamber or with the use of a divider to section off a portion of the aquarium.

Q.: Do you need sand for fairy and flasher wrasses?
A.: No. They create a mucous cocoon when they sleep.

Q.: Do you need to have a female along with the male?
A.: No, but the "blue group" (those whose body tends to be blue based) tends to lose more coloration absent a female than does the "red group".

Q.: Can I keep two male fairy wrasses of the same species together?
A.: Generally no, except in very large tanks as they will fight. Also, in general two male fairy wrasses of similar size, coloration, and body shape can be problematic. al. The same is not true for flasher wrasses.

Q.: What kind of acclimation is required for fairy wrasses?
A.: Temperature acclimate, SG acclimate, and socially acclimate by floating new arrivals in a breeder cup to dispel aggression. All fish should be quarantined and treated if necessary.

Q.: Will fairy and flasher wrasses jump?
A.: Yes. Not a question of IF but WHEN, and even in covered aquariums, they can also find their way into overflow boxes in reef ready displays.

Q.: Will egg crate keep them in?
A.: No, you need quarter inch holes or a sealed tank.

Q.: What are the rarest fairy wrasses?
A.: In the USA, C. earlei, C. johnsoni, and C. lanceolatus "types" are considered rare in the aquarium trade.

Q.: Do all males lose coloration?
A.: No. If you have females, the male coloration should remain constant and if you are lucky you will observe breeding behavior

Q.: What is a terminal male/supermale?
A.: A terminal male cannot revert to being a female. These are also called supermales.

This is one article in a coming series on marine fish.

[Toddrtrex]

Thanks a lot Steve -- always like to defer to you when it comes to these fish. And I will have to remember this for after my move when I can get, at least, one wrasse.