Will an Exquisite Fairy Wrasse eat my corals or shrimp?

No, they are completely reef-safe. They feed on plankton in the water column and will ignore corals, clams, and ornamental shrimp.

Why is my new Fairy Wrasse hiding all the time?

It is completely normal for them to be timid and hide in the rockwork for the first few days. Once they feel secure and map out the tank's crevices, they will become very active open-water swimmers.

Do I need sand for my Exquisite Fairy Wrasse to sleep in?

No. Unlike Halichoeres or Macropharyngodon wrasses, Cirrhilabrus species do not bury in the sand. They sleep in rock crevices, often spinning a mucus cocoon for protection.

Can I keep two male Exquisite Fairy Wrasses together?

It is not recommended. Two males will often fight aggressively until one is killed. It is much better to keep a single male, either alone or with a group of females.

Why did my fairy wrasse lose its bright colours?

Colour fading is usually caused by an inadequate diet, poor water quality, or submissive behaviour in the presence of a more dominant fish. Feeding a varied diet rich in astaxanthin helps maintain their vivid hues.

MarineMarineIntermediate

Exquisite Fairy Wrasse

Cirrhilabrus exquisitus

A breathtakingly colourful and highly active marine fish, the Exquisite Fairy Wrasse is a reef-safe jewel perfect for established community aquariums.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 22 – 26 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.02 – 1.025 SG
Adult size: 10 – 12 cm
Minimum for a single adult: 200 litres+
Lifespan: 5 – 8 years
Diet: Carnivore
Water flow: Moderate to high
Preferred setup: Reef or fish-only with plenty of live rock for hiding and open swimming space. A tight-fitting lid is essential.

About the Exquisite Fairy Wrasse

The Exquisite Fairy Wrasse is arguably one of the most vividly coloured and geographically diverse members of the Cirrhilabrus genus. Highly prized by marine aquarists, its precise patterning varies significantly depending on its collection locale, with specimens from Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Maldives each displaying unique combinations of iridescent blues, greens, and reds. It is a fantastic choice for a reef aquarium due to its active nature and complete lack of interest in sessile invertebrates.

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Is it right for your tank?

Check Exquisite Fairy Wrasse against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Exquisite Fairy Wrasse comes from

Native range

Indo-Pacific

Countries / regions

Fiji, Vanuatu, Maldives, Kenya, Australia, Indonesia

Habitat

Coral-rich rubble zones, reef edges, and seaward slopes at depths between 6 and 40 metres.

Colour morphs are highly specific to collection locations, varying wildly between the Maldives, Fiji, and Africa.

Similar species

Scott's Fairy Wrasse
Cirrhilabrus scottorum
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse
Paracheilinus carpenteri
Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse
Cirrhilabrus lubbocki

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Peaceful and occupies a different area of the tank, making them highly compatible.
Great
McCosker's Flasher Wrasse
Paracheilinus mccoskeri
Flasher wrasses are generally peaceful and mix well with fairy wrasses, providing stunning displays.
Great
Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
Large, herbivorous fish that will ignore the planktivorous fairy wrasse completely.
Great
Scott's Fairy Wrasse
Cirrhilabrus scottorum
Multiple male fairy wrasses can display conspecific aggression; mixing different Cirrhilabrus species requires a very large tank.
Compatible with caution
Orchid Dottyback
Pseudochromis fridmani
Dottybacks can be territorial over rockwork and may harass timid wrasses if introduced first.
Compatible with caution
Volitan Lionfish
Pterois volitans
A predatory fish that will easily swallow the slender fairy wrasse whole.
Not recommended

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