Red Velvet Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubrisquamis)
Fish in the family Labridae. Moderate care. Reef Safe.
Quick facts
Appearance
The Red Velvet Wrasse is a small, elongated wrasse with striking coloration: the male displays a deep crimson to velvet-red body with iridescent blue-green markings on the head and gill covers, while females and juveniles are more subdued orange-red. Both sexes have a slightly humped head profile and pointed snout characteristic of the genus Cirrhilabrus.
Diet and feeding
Feed high-quality meaty foods including finely chopped seafood, frozen mysis shrimp, and small crustaceans 2–3 times daily. Small live food items such as copepods and amphipods are beneficial for conditioning and supplementing diet.
Difficulty and care for the Red Velvet Wrasse
The Red Velvet Wrasse is moderately difficult, requiring stable conditions, excellent water quality, and frequent small feedings. Its deep-water origin makes it sensitive to sudden environmental changes and bright lighting.
Common health issues
Parasitic infections (marine ich, flukes), nutritional deficiencies, stress-related illness from poor acclimation, lateral line erosion if diet or water quality is suboptimal.
Origin and habitat
Indo-Pacific region, found from Indonesia through the Philippines to the Great Barrier Reef and westward to the Indian Ocean, typically in deeper coral reef environments at depths between 40–200 feet.
Log Red Velvet 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 Red Velvet Wrasse alongside everything else in your reef.
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