Does Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse need a sand bed?

No. Unlike some other wrasses (such as those in the Halichoeres genus) that bury into the sand to sleep, the Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse sleeps in crevices within the live rock, often enclosed in a self-spun mucus cocoon.

Why is my wrasse covered in slime in the morning?

This is entirely normal. Fairy wrasses spin a protective mucus cocoon around themselves at night to hide their scent from predators. They will break out of it shortly after the lights come on.

Will a Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse eat my ornamental shrimp?

Generally, no. They are considered reef-safe and usually ignore larger decorative shrimp like cleaner or peppermint shrimp. Very small or juvenile shrimp (like Sexy Shrimp) could potentially be at risk if the wrasse is large and hungry.

Can I keep two male Lubbock's Fairy Wrasses together?

It is not recommended. Two males of the same species will often fight relentlessly until one is subdued or killed. It is best to keep a single male, either alone or with a harem of females.

Why did my wrasse jump out of the tank?

Fairy wrasses are incredibly easily startled by sudden movements, changes in lighting, or aggressive tank mates. Their instinct is to bolt upwards, making a secure, tightly fitting lid or mesh screen an absolute necessity.

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Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse

Cirrhilabrus lubbocki

A brilliantly coloured, highly active, and peaceful marine fish, Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse is an ideal entry-level fairy wrasse for vibrant reef 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: 7 – 9 cm
30 gallons: 110 litres+
Lifespan: 5 – 8 years
Diet: Carnivore
Water flow: Moderate
Preferred setup: Reef environment with plenty of live rock for hiding and a tightly fitting lid to prevent jumping.

About the Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse

The Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse is highly sought after by marine aquarists due to its stunning colouration, hardy nature, and boundless energy. Constantly on the move, these wrasses bring brilliant flashes of red, pink, yellow, and blue to the middle and upper levels of the aquarium. They are particularly famous for their regional colour variations, with specimens from Indonesia looking quite different to those caught in the Philippines. As one of the smaller and more robust members of the *Cirrhilabrus* genus, it is an excellent choice for those new to keeping fairy wrasses.

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Is it right for your tank?

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Where Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse comes from

Native range

Western Central Pacific

Countries / regions

Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia

Habitat

Coral-rich seaward slopes, rubble zones, and coastal reefs at depths of 4 to 45 metres.

Colour morphs often correlate directly with their collection regions, notably between Indonesian and Philippine populations.

Similar species

McCosker's Flasher Wrasse
Paracheilinus mccoskeri
Exquisite Fairy Wrasse
Cirrhilabrus exquisitus
Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse
Paracheilinus carpenteri

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, preventing territorial disputes.
Great
Firefish Goby
Nemateleotris magnifica
Both are peaceful planktivores that will co-exist harmoniously in a mixed reef.
Great
Sixline Wrasse
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
The Sixline Wrasse can be territorial and aggressive towards more docile wrasses like the Lubbock's.
Compatible with caution
Other Fairy Wrasses
Cirrhilabrus spp.
Males of different fairy wrasse species may fight if the tank is not large enough to establish separate territories.
Compatible with caution
Lionfish
Pterois volitans
Lionfish are predatory and will easily swallow the slender Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse.
Not recommended

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