Males have conspicuous red patches on pale sides; females resemble related C. flavidorsalis. A male photograph alone does not identify every initial-phase fairy wrasse in an aquarium.
See Adorned Fairy Wrasse clearly
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Responsible care profile
Home-aquarium guidance reviewed from species-specific operator accounts. The 50 US gal recommendation is husbandry guidance, not an experimentally validated minimum. Reported maximum size is shown with its measurement type. Tiny ornamental invertebrates still require individual risk assessment.
Identity, safeguards and related care references have been reviewed. Genus examples or incomplete species-specific husbandry evidence do not establish exact aquarium limits; read the scope note before stocking.
6 referenced sources- Care level
- Intermediate
- Minimum volume
- 50 US gal (189.3 L)
- Preferred volume
- Not specified in current guidance
- Adult size
- 2.5 in (6.3 cm) · standard length, excluding tail
- Reef compatibility
- Reef-Safe
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social plan
- Field grouping does not establish captive compatibility
- Minimum footprint
- Provide open swimming space and rock refuges. Sources give a volume recommendation rather than minimum length and width.
Water
LiveAquaria species care recommendation: 72–78 °F · LiveAquaria species care recommendation: SG 1.020–1.025 · LiveAquaria species care recommendation: pH 8.1–8.4 · Species-specific LiveAquaria husbandry recommendations: 72–78 °F (22.2–25.6 °C), specific gravity 1.020–1.025 and pH 8.1–8.4. Bob Goemans gives broader ranges (74–82 °F, SG 1.020–1.026, pH 8.0–8.5). The table consistently uses LiveAquaria’s set rather than combining endpoints. Match measured source water during transfer and acclimate gradually. These are keeping recommendations, not experimentally established physiological boundaries.
- Temperature
- 72–78 °F (22.2–25.6 °C)
- Salinity / specific gravity
- 1.020–1.025 SG
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
Habitat
Secure rockwork; Open swimming space scaled to confirmed adult size; Accessible refuge and protected introduction area.
Provide rock crevices and caves for refuge and night-time rest. Goemans reports rock shelter or mucus-cocoon use rather than sand burial. Keep a tightly fitted cover to prevent escape.
Light: Match the documented source conditions and acclimate gradually; no species-validated intensity prescribed.
Flow: Provide oxygenated circulation with sheltered areas; field surge does not define an aquarium pump setting.
Secure lid required.
Feeding
Carnivore / zooplanktivore · Two to three small meals daily; verify acceptance and body condition · Food options: Small marine carnivore pellets or flakes once accepted, Mysis, Enriched brine shrimp, Finely chopped marine seafood · Document food acceptance before acquisition. Newly introduced fish can be reluctant to feed.
Compatibility
Keep with peaceful companions and use a protected introduction; no automatic pair/group approval.
Avoid or assess carefully: Tankmates preventing feeding or refuge, Vulnerable invertebrates until diet risk is resolved.
What the evidence establishes
Natural-history evidence plus explicitly labelled MLL planning precautions
- Taxonomic identity
- Source-labelled photographs
- Scoped natural-history context
- Reported maximum body size with measurement type
- Species husbandry temperament assessment
- Species-specific practical temperature, specific gravity and pH guidance
Still unverified
- Experimentally established physiological tolerance limits
- Exact minimum aquarium length and width
- Lifetime nutritional adequacy
- Individual social compatibility
Acclimation and quarantine
General transfer plan: quarantine, document arrival temperature and salinity, compare with receiving conditions and follow a transfer procedure appropriate to the measured mismatch. Assess feeding and refuge use before display introduction.
Stocking safeguards
Aquarium setting: Home aquarium. Starvation risk: unresolved.
Species-specific operator care guidance supports home-aquarium maintenance. Sources differ on care tier; MLL uses Intermediate to retain feeding and introduction precautions.
Confirm species-specific suitability before acquisition; use protected introduction and observe feeding and refuge access.
- No acquisition without lawful origin and confirmed identity
- No acquisition without a credible adult housing and feeding plan
- No release if feeding, health or refuge access remain unresolved
Special risks
- Colour-phase misidentification
- Food rejection and exclusion
- Escape through uncovered gaps
- Unsupported compatibility assumptions
Husbandry Findings and Limits
These findings explain what the cited evidence supports. Facility precautions are identified separately from tested captive outcomes.
Documented aquarium husbandry — Documented keeping guidance; not a controlled trial
Feeding: Carnivore / zooplanktivore. Two to three small meals daily; verify acceptance and body condition Food options: Small marine carnivore pellets or flakes once accepted, Mysis, Enriched brine shrimp, Finely chopped marine seafood. Provide rock crevices and caves for refuge and night-time rest. Goemans reports rock shelter or mucus-cocoon use rather than sand burial. Keep a tightly fitted cover to prevent escape. Water movement: Provide oxygenated circulation with sheltered areas; field surge does not define an aquarium pump setting. Lighting: Match the documented source conditions and acclimate gradually; no species-validated intensity prescribed. Keep with peaceful companions and use a protected introduction; no automatic pair/group approval. General transfer plan: quarantine, document arrival temperature and salinity, compare with receiving conditions and follow a transfer procedure appropriate to the measured mismatch. Assess feeding and refuge use before display introduction. Water guidance: 72–78 °F (22.2–25.6 °C), SG 1.020–1.025, pH 8.1–8.4 from LiveAquaria.
Scope and remaining limit: Supplier and aquarium-author guidance supports these practical keeping recommendations. Different source ranges are retained in the water note. Controlled lifetime tolerance, exact minimum tank footprint and individual social outcomes are not established.
Sources: LiveAquaria — transfer and quarantine guidance · Bob Goemans — species aquarium account · LiveAquaria — Red-Fin Fairy Wrasse species care · Top Shelf Aquatics — Koi Fairy Wrasse care and housingIdentification and Colour Phases
Males have conspicuous red patches on pale sides; females resemble related C. flavidorsalis. Gallery identities and phase labels retain the source scope; photographs are not independent taxonomic diagnoses.
Distribution and Habitat
Rubble on outer reef slopes. Source photo localities are examples rather than complete surveyed range boundaries.
Behaviour and Ecological Context
A male photograph alone does not identify every initial-phase fairy wrasse in an aquarium.
Aquarium Care and Suitability
MLL planning guidance: species-specific lifetime captive care, numeric water limits and minimum housing have not been validated in this intake. Confirm lawful origin, adult housing, diet and individual food acceptance before acquisition. The natural-history evidence below supports precautions, not a complete captive protocol. MLL planning precaution: confirm the diet from species evidence and documented holding history. Do not apply a generic wrasse feeding recipe without observing acceptance.
Compatibility and Observation
MLL precaution: use protected introductions and monitor pursuit, refuge access and feeding. Do not infer a safe group from a wild aggregation or temporary retailer holding. Observe daily food capture, body condition and hiding behaviour. A visible meal is not proof of a complete diet.
Field Observation and Photography
Record locality, whole-body side view, cheek markings, fin patterns and apparent colour phase. Avoid chasing, touching or feeding fish for a photograph. Captured specimens and underwater animals are captioned separately.
Conservation and Responsible Sourcing
Retain lawful origin and collection or propagation records. Island locality and protection rules require direct review before acquisition. A broad regional record or attractive image does not establish local abundance or sustainable supply.
A living record
Published identities retained, exact uploaded bytes preserved, and care uncertainties stated. Public content last reviewed October 10, 2026.
- WoRMS — taxonomic name ↗Reference source
- Species natural history or original research ↗Reference source
- LiveAquaria — transfer and quarantine guidance ↗Reference source