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Red-eyed Fairy Wrasse

Redheaded Fairy Wrasse - Solor Fairy Wrasse
Clown and Tricolor Fairy Wrasse Family: Labridae

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Cirrhilabrus solorensis Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Greg Rothschild

   The beautiful Red-eyed Fairy Wrasse, though sporting a variety of colors, is always gorgeous!

   The Red-eyed Fairy Wrasse is considered reef safe as it generally will not bother corals, ornamental shrimp, or other bottom dwelling invertebrates. It is also good in a community aquarium as it gets along well with many fish.

   Very friendly and smart, the Red-eyed Fairy Wrasse will eventually even eat from your hand. Their curious and active nature, along with being easy to care for, make this fish a wonderful addition for any marine enthusiast.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium

Description:
   The Red-eyed Fairy Wrasse Cirrhilabrus solorensis is highly variable in color and was once considered to be a color variant of the Bluehead Fairy Wrasse Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura. It has a very colorful body with a yellow to light orange face and an orangish/red forehead. The scales just below its colorful dorsal fin are a velvet/blue, then turning green until reaching the belly area which is white.
   The males have much longer pelvic fins than the females and their gill has a hard blue outline. The females can be a general reddish-orange with the head being more red than the body, but the females can also have the same coloring as the males, just muted. The color of this species can vary, but all of the color forms have bright red eyes. Juveniles have basically the same coloring.
   Some Cirrhilabrus species may cross breed, but the general look with the red head tends to stay apparent. They can also change sex if needed.

Maintenance difficulty:
   The Red-eyed Fairy Wrasse (also referred to as the Redheaded Fairy Wrasse, Solor Fairy Wrasse, Clown Fairy Wrasse, and Tricolor Fairy Wrasse) is easy to keep. They are generally disease free when kept and maintained in the proper environment. Avoid overcrowding, underfeeding, and poor water quality.
   These fish recognize the Skunk Cleaner Shrimp for cleaning and will also tolerate the Neon Gobie for parasite removal. When sleeping they spin a slime cocoon which helps keep them free from parasites that may live in the rock or sand.

Foods:
   Like all members of the Cirrhilabrus genera, the Red-eyed Fairy Wrasses are planktivores, adapted to feed and survive from eating mostly plankton. They have a high metabolism and require regular feedings during the day.
   When acquired, the Red-eyed Fairy Wrasses are generally young. It is best to feed small amounts several times a day. Young specimens should be fed at least three times a day to ensure proper growth and health, and adults at least two times a day. Start with brine shrimp, live or frozen, and offer other protein foods as well.
   They eat meaty foods. Feed all kinds of live and frozen foods such as squid, shrimp (the same kind people eat), mussels, and all kinds of chopped up fish.They love fresh uncolored uncooked raw salmon. A good commercial formula for wrasses is Pro-salt marine. Flake and pelleted food can also be occasionally offered.
   You can use prepared liquid garlic to soak food in for optimum immune health. Tubifex worms soaked in garlic is a great treat. It is worth noting that many people have reported success with feeding garlic supplements, to both combat and prevent parasitic infections such as the common marine "ich" or "white spot" (also referred to as 'crypt' spots). Garlic, known to have therapeutic qualities for humans is suggested to also be useful for fish, helping the fish's immune system recognize and react to parasites.

Maintenance:
   These fish are generally very easy to care for and are hardy. Provide basic marine aquarium care of a 20% water change monthly or 10% twice a month unless there is presence of ammonia and/or nitrites, then an immediate water change is necessary. In a non-reef situation, they can handle higher nitrates like most fish.
   For more information see, Marine Aquarium Basics: Maintenance

Social Behaviors:
   A good community fish, the Red-eyed Fairy Wrasse are generally not aggressive towards other fish or bottom dwelling invertebrates. They are however, intolerant of some other small planktivores such as some basslets and dottybacks. They are too busy and too aggressive of eaters to be put with seahorses or pipefish. Also, do not house them with eels, sharks, rays ,or groupers as these fish will eat your beloved wrasse.
   The Red-eyed Fairy Wrasse can be kept in pairs as one will morph to the appropriate sex, however three males of their own species will be intolerant of each other. They can also be kept with other Cirrhilabrus species. Introduce them at the same time or change the rock arrangement when introducing new Cirrhilabrus wrasses. There may possibly be tiffs, with a circular chasing on and off for the first few weeks. Feeding twice a day will also help reduce aggression.
   Keeping three different species of colorful male wrasses together has been known to prevent the eventual fading that many wrasses do in captive situations.

Breeding:
   Unknown in captivity as of yet.

Light: Recommended light levels:
   They have no problem with light in the aquarium.

Temperature/Water:
   Temperatures for this marine fish are between 72 - 78° F (22 - 26° C). General water suggestions for this fish are: 1.020-1.025; ph 8.1-8.4 (day reading); dh 8-12.

Length/Diameter of fish:
   Red-eyed Fairy Wrasse adults can grow to just over 4 inches (11 cm).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:
   A minimum 55 gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
   No special requirements.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
   Swims in all levels of the aquarium. They will jump at food or if scared, so a covered top is suggested

Availability:
   This fish is available most of the year from pet stores and on the internet.

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Author: Carrie McBirney
Additional Information: Clarice Brough. CFS
Edited by Animal-World