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Scotts' Wrasse

Scotts' Fairy Wrasse ~ Greenback Fairy Wrasse Family: Labridae

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Cirrhilabrus scottorum Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Karel Castro

   A very beautiful fish with almost every color of the rainbow. In general the Scott's Fairy Wrasse, Scotts' Wrasse, or Greenback Fairy Wrasse are a peaceful aquarium fish (with the exception of not liking some basslets, dottybacks, and longfins) and they are easy to maintain. If you want a pretty addition to your tank, this could be the one!

   The Scott's Fairy Wrasse, Scotts' Wrasse, or Greenback Fairy Wrasse have a green head shading to dusky blue-green in the middle and brighter blue anteriorly. The lower part of the body is red, the upper half of the body is speckled with black. The ends of the fins can be yellow or pink, the middle of the body is deep purple.

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

Maintenance:
   Feed all kinds of live, frozen, and flake foods. Best to feed small amounts several times a day. We generally feed squid, shrimp (the same kind people eat), mussels, and all kinds of chopped up fish. A good formula for wrasses is Pro-salt marine. They are best maintained singly or in pairs with other fish and/or invertebrates.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:
   Scott's Fairy Wrasse, Scotts' Wrasse, or Greenback Fairy Wrasse are found in the South Pacific from the Pitcairn Group to the Great Barrier Reef. It is usually found at depths of 3 to 40 meters. They are seen more often in the outer reef areas than sheltered lagoons.

Foods:
   All kinds of protein foods, formulas and flakes. They are a plankton feeder in the ocean.

Social Behaviors:
   They live in harems consisting of a secondary male and numerous females. They are a peaceful fish in aquariums, though they may not be compatible with some of the basslets, dottybacks, or longfins.

Sex: Sexual differences:
   Males are larger and more intensely colored the the female. Their ventral fins are elongated the the tail fin is pointed. The colors become iridescent during courtship.

Light: Recommended light levels:
   Likes plenty of light. Usually found in sunlight areas.

Temperature:
   No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish is between 74 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit.

Length/Diameter of fish:
   Scott's Fairy Wrasse, Scotts' Wrasse, or Greenback Fairy Wrasse adults can grow to 13.0 cm (5.2 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:
   A minimum 60 gallon aquarium is recommended.

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

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
   They are a plankton feeder and will spend most of the time near the middle of the aquarium.

Availability:
   This fish is available from time to time.

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Some of the coolest comments:
I have just purchased a greenback fairy wrasse a month or so ago. It has been a joy to watch in my tank. I was surprised to see that mine had no green to it. It is a purple fish. It has red spots on both sides and red dorsal and ventral fins. It has been completely peaceful, even from the beginning though my regal tang and my hawkfish harrassed it. He adapted well. In only a couple of days the fish was eating any frozen - green or meaty - food that I fed it and some pelleted food as well. I love his swim style of quivering the very end of his dorsal fin to move about. Jan Jan Hayes 2004-08-26

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