
One way to ensure they eat a healthy, well-balanced diet is having a continuous source of copepods. This should always be their main food source, even though they will consume other aquarium foods. Pintail Fairy Wrasses
Wrasse
The wrasses are a family, Labridae, of marine fish, many of which are brightly colored. The family is large and diverse, with over 600 species in 81 genera, which are divided into 9 subgroups or tribes. They are typically small fish, most of them less than 20 cm long, although the largest, the hu…
What do you feed sailfin fairy wrasse?
With a carnivorous diet, feed your Sailfin Fairy zooplankton, brine and mysis shrimp, and quality pellet and flake food. Several feedings a day should be adequate to keep your wrasse happy. Since this fish is easy enough for beginning aquarist, this species would be a unique and rare treat for any hobbyist.
What are the best tips for feeding a Scott's fairy wrasse?
The Scott's Fairy Wrasse can thrive in any lighting, and they tolerate any water movement speed. While slow-moving water is best for feeding, the Scott's Fairy Wrasse will not mind fast-moving water. The temperature should be kept between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit, or 22.2 to 25.6 degrees Celsius. You must also maintain a pH between 8.1 and 8.4.
What do you need for a wrasse fish?
These are extremely active fish and require ample space for their natural behaviour. The aquarium should be aquascaped with sufficient live rock to provide plenty of hiding places into which the day-active wrasse can retreat at night, as well as explore during the day.
What is a fairy wrasse?
Fairy wrasses are one of the most popular genera out there. Some species even rank as the “Holy Grail” of fish ownership, prized for their colors and patterns. So who wouldn’t want to learn more about such iconic fish?

What should I feed my wrasse?
Its main diet consists of small crustaceans and invertebrates. In captivity, Halichoeres ornatissimus will feed on meaty fares such as fresh or frozen seafood, dried, frozen or live brine and mysid shrimp, live grass shrimp, as well as flake foods.
How often do you feed wrasse?
I feed a minimum of three times a day NLS pellets, and once a day either PE Mysis or Rod's Food, along with a small bit of Nori daily. This equates to 4-6 times, plus generally a tiny pinch of NLS pellets every time I walk past the tank. Fish eat all day long in nature,a nd they should in our aquaria too.
Do fairy wrasses need sand?
Yes, fairy wrasses of the genus Cirrhilabrus do not sleep in the sand. They generally will find a nice little crevice in your live rock. No worries here without a sand bed. wow, never heard of wrasse needing sand.
Do fairy wrasses eat pods?
Fairies and Flashers would be the best. All fish will eat pods regardless but they don't target them the way that the Halichoeres or Leopard varieties do.
How long do fairy wrasses live?
between 3 and 5 yearsWrasses live anywhere from 3 to 30 years, which is quite a notable difference in lifespan! The Humphead Wrasse can live for up to 30 years, while Fairy Wrasse species usually only live for between 3 and 5 years. Most species of wrasse have a lifespan of 5 to 8 years.
Can you keep multiple fairy wrasses?
In a tank that size you will be able to keep pretty much all species of fairy wrasses. They generally do best of 1 male per species. You can buy prs but females often turn to males. Fairys do just fine with flashers, often flashing right back at them.
Are wrasses hard to keep?
Some wrasses can be very difficult to keep, while others are among the easiest, and they have a wide variety of temperaments. The burrowing wrasses of interest include those in the Anampses, Coris, Halichoeres, and Macropharyngodon genera. These wrasses hide under the sand at night and/or when frightened.
Can wrasse live without sand?
A 6-line wrasse and fairy/flasher wrasses will be fine without sand in the aquariums. Halichoeres species like the yellow coris or melanurus wrasses as well as the leopard wrasses will require sand in some fashion for optimal care.
Are wrasses easy to keep?
About Anampses Often referred to as “Tamarin” wrasses, species of this genus are not for the inexperienced keeper. While this genus can be hardy if healthy and established in a system, achieving such is generally not a simple task.
How big do fairy wrasse get?
between three and six inchesFairy wrasses are fairly small reef fishes, with adult sizes usually falling somewhere between three and six inches in length. They are sexually dimorphic, with males tending to reach slightly larger sizes than females.
Are fairy wrasse aggressive?
As is the case with many coral reef fishes, fairy wrasses are more likely to attack species with similar color, form or behavior. In the aquarium, fairy wrasse aggression usually consists of chasing and charging, however, they will occasionally nip at and may injure an opponent.
Can wrasses be kept together?
Be sure to give them as much space as possible, especially when keeping multiple species. Mixed genera and species of wrasses can be kept together with proper planning and research. Avoid housing two males of the same species together since they will inevitably battle, harm and potentially kill each other.
How often should I feed six line wrasse?
2-3 times a dayMost individuals will accept standard saltwater fish food, like flakes, pellets, or tablets, but what they would appreciate most is frozen food and even small live food. These are very active fish. If possible, try to feed them 2-3 times a day.
How often do you feed flasher wrasse?
If you starve them (1 feeding a day) they will lose their bright coloration and eventually wither away. If your tank can't handle/you don't have time for multiple feedings, then you should look into another fish. I have a filamented flasher wrasse and I feed him 2-3 times per day.
Do wrasses eat seaweed?
Yes, wrasses eat algae and most if not all fish in the wild eat some form of algae...
What do six line wrasse eat?
The Six Line Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.
What is a Scott's Fairy Wrasse?
The Scott's Fairy Wrasse is stunning to look at, and its lively temperament is sure to add playfulness and vibrance to your aquarium. They are easy to care for, making them a wonderful addition to a tank that has already been established.
What do fairy wrasses eat?
When introducing Scott's Fairy Wrasse to your tank, it is best to start by feeding brine shrimp, which can be live or frozen. Then, you can begin introducing other proteins to their diet, including fish, shaved shrimp , and mysis. Any form of chopped seafood, including mussels, squid, and shrimp, are all wonderful additions to a Scotty's Fairy Wrasse's diet. The Scott's Fairy Wrasse will also enjoy the copepods that live in an aquarium's live rock.
Is the Scott's Fairy Wrasse male or female?
On average, the males are slightly larger than the females. Furthermore, their ventral fins are elongated, while their tail fins are more pointed.
What do sailfin fairies eat?
With a carnivorous diet, feed your Sailfin Fairy zooplankton, brine and mysis shrimp, and quality pellet and flake food. Several feedings a day should be adequate to keep your wrasse happy. Since this fish is easy enough for beginning aquarist, this species would be a unique and rare treat for any hobbyist.
What color is the sailfin fairy?
It has flowing red-orange fins, some with purple accents and their body has hints of red, orange, and yellow coloring. In addition to the beautiful colors, the Sailfin Fairy has a vibrant electric blue color ing on its chin .
How many gallons of water should a wrasse tank hold?
The tank should be around 70 gallons and contain sandy substrate with a good amount of live rock for hiding and exploring. Similar to all other wrasse species, it’s important to have a tight-fitting, secure lid on your tank to prevent escape.
Where do sailfin fairy wrasses live?
These fish are native to the waters off the coasts of Indonesia and the Philippines.
What temperature does a hooded fairy wrasse live in?
It also typically exists at temperatures between 75 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit -- higher temperatures are not ideal for this lower-depth species.
What do hooded fairy wrasses eat?
The Hooded Fairy Wrasse is carnivorous and will feed on fresh and frozen brine shrimp or mysis crustaceans. Other foods can include small dried shrimp, dried flakes, and smaller marine animal-based foods. As this is an active species, it is recommended to feed the Hooded Fairy Wrasse at least twice a day.
How deep do hooded fairy wrasses swim?
The Hooded Fairy Wrasse typically exists at depths of 30 to 60 meters in the wild. As such, they typically swim towards the middle or the bottom of the tank, only coming to the top when fed.
What color is a hooded fairy wrasse?
The Hooded Fairy Wrasse is a moderately long-bodied, short (about 4 inches) tropical fish that predominantly has two colors: deep red (or orange-red) and yellow. The deep red color is normally on the top of the fish; its extent varies by age and gender. The yellow part of the Hooded Fairy Wrasse is typically on the underside or abdomen of the fish.
Basic Info
There are over 500 species of wrasse and all are part of the Labridae family. Fairy wrasses are small, reaching between three and six inches long. They’re very dexterous, agile, and swift swimmers with pectoral, caudal, dorsal, and anal fins. They have elongated bodies with smooth scales, pointed snouts, large lips, and prominent canine teeth.
Gender Shifting
Out of both genders, the males are more colorful and larger. Males can make their coloring more intense or change their color patterning when trying to court females. You can indicate a male by its unpaired fins being much longer than a female’s.
Natural Habitat
Fairy wrasses come from the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. You can find this bright colored fish from Hawaii to the Philippines to southern Japan.
Daily Behavior
They are most active in the daytime, meaning they’re diurnal, and often bury themselves in the sand to avoid predators. Pintail fairy wrasse is very wary of predators and ever-ready to swim to safety at the onset of perceived danger.
Fairy Wrasses in Aquariums
Most fairy wrasses adapt well to aquariums and are very resistant to diseases and fungal infections. But they come with a hefty price tag; one pintail fairy wrasse can cost around $150.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, fairy wrasses aren’t aggressive. They tend to be very easy-going and peaceful. They won’t bother corals or invertebrates, which makes them excellent tankmates for a reef-safe aquarium.
Pintail Fairy Wrasses Make Great Pets
These little fish are great for any reef aquarium. They are somewhat easy to take care of; they just have to have enough room to swim and plenty of other fish to socialize with. They also have a carnivorous diet that must be constant.
How big do Sailfin Fairy Wrasse get?
Sailfin fairy wrasse grows up to 4 inches in length. Although they are small fish, they need a bigger aquarium as they grow bigger.
Is Sailfin Fairy Wrasse aggressive?
Sailfin fairy wrasse is a calm and peaceful species that get along well with most fish, provided that they have adequate space to swim and plenty of rocks and caves to hide.
Sailfin Fairy Wrasse behavior
Sailfin fairy wrasse is an outgoing and active fish that darts around the tank and explores all areas, even extending to nooks and crannies.
How long do Sailfin Fairy Wrasses live?
Since this is a newly introduced fish species, the exact life span of these fish is unknown. However, they seem to live around 5 to 7 years in captivity.
Sailfin Fairy Wrasse care
They are easy to care for species if you know the basics of keeping a reef aquarium. Sailfin fairy wrasse is saltwater fish that are compatible with any reef tank.
Sailfin Fairy Wrasse breeding
Being introduced to the aquarium hobby recently and officially recognized in 2018, the reproduction behavior of these fish is still unknown.
Special tips
Never accommodate related wrasse species with sailfin fairy wrasses as they can crossbreed and produce hybrid species.
What is the scientific name of the Redheaded Fairy Wrasse?
The Redheaded fairy wrasse’s scientific name means ‘from the Sun, with curly lips’ . When selecting a specimen, observe it in your dealer’s tank.
What does C. solorensis eat?
Feeding needs. In the wild, C. solorensis feeds on zooplankton, courtesy of its tiny mouth. In the aquarium it generally adapts easily to prepared aquarium foods and, once settled in, will demonstrate pretty catholic tastes.
How much room does a C. solorensis need?
Perhaps that’s a risky approach. Aquarium needs. Although fairly diminutive, C. solorensis still needs considerable room and an aquarium of at least 1m/39” long or more.
Where do fairy wrasses live?
Many species not only have stunning colours, but grow to a manageable size and have an easy-going disposition. An inhabitant of the Western Central Pacific Ocean, and primarily exported from Indonesia, the Redheaded fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus solorensis) is no exception. ...
What color are fairy wrasses?
All individuals have red eyes, inspiring another common name — the Red-eyed fairy wrasse.
Can C. solorensis be a fish?
Otherwise, C. solorensis should co-habit comfortably with most other reef aquarium fish, including damsels, gobies, cardinals, blennies and pygmy angels. Generally this is an invertebrate-safe species and, due to its feeding ecology, won’t tend to peck at corals or other sessile invertebrates.
What is a satellite male?
So called ‘satellite’ (sneaky) males which don’t control a harem may manage to fertilise some eggs during the spawning ritual , which includes the dominant male exhibiting rapid flashing (colour changes). Should the dominant male be removed from the group, one of the most dominant females undergoes a sex change.
