Red-bellied fairy wrasse
Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis
This fish reaches 9 cm. Males have a blue-green body with a broad red band on the belly and elongated dorsal and anal fins. Females are duller, often orange-pink. It is diurnal and swims in groups in the wild. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite. It feeds on zooplankton and small invertebrates. In aquariums, it is active but non-aggressive. It needs plenty of hiding spots and open swimming space. It may jump, so a lid is necessary.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 22–28 |
| pH | 8.1–8.4 |
| GH | 8–12 |
| KH | 7–11 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 20 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.05 |
Care
Care notes
Temperature 22-28°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025, GH 8-12, KH 7-11. Minimum tank volume 250 liters. Carnivorous diet: brine shrimp, mysis, copepods, frozen food. It is very peaceful, ideal for a community reef tank. Avoid aggressive or overly large fish. A lid is mandatory. It enjoys a well-structured aquarium with live rock and open areas. It can be kept in a harem (1 male with several females). Nitrates <20 mg/L, phosphates <0.05 mg/L. Stable water is essential.