Exquisite Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus exquisite)
Fish in the family Labridae. Moderate care. Reef Safe.
Quick facts
Appearance
A small, sexually dimorphic wrasse with males displaying vibrant purple, orange, and yellow coloration arranged in distinctive vertical stripes and patches on the head and body. Females are more subdued, typically orange-pink with darker markings. The body is streamlined with pointed snout and small scales characteristic of fairy wrasses in the genus Cirrhilabrus.
Diet and feeding
Feed a varied carnivorous diet of high-quality frozen foods (mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, chopped seafood) and small pellets 2–3 times daily. Live copepods help encourage natural foraging behavior, particularly useful during acclimation.
Difficulty and care for the Exquisite Fairy Wrasse
Moderate difficulty. Requires a well-established reef aquarium with stable conditions, adequate live rock for shelter, and careful acclimation. Prone to stress-related health issues if tank conditions are unstable.
Common health issues
Ich (white spot disease), head and lateral line erosion (HLLE) if nutrition is poor, stress-induced parasitism
Origin and habitat
Indo-Pacific region, found in coral reef environments from the Coral Triangle through Micronesia and Polynesia, typically at depths between 40–120 meters.
Log Exquisite Fairy Wrasse in your reef tank
Reef Trak gives you the full record on every species in your tank: acquisition date, source, photos, parameters at time of stocking, and links to maintenance and feeding events. Track Exquisite Fairy Wrasse alongside everything else in your reef.
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