Furious Fringe Orange Back Fish

Orange Back (or Backed) Fairy Wrasses are visually similar (and closely related) to Solorensis Wrasses, and while both are amazing, gorgeous fish in the home aquarium, Orange Back Fairy Wrasses are less frequently seen. They're fairly unique in that they don't really have any other common names. Scientifically, we know them as Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis. This name has both Latin and Greek portions. The Cirrus part comes from Latin and means curl or fringe; the labros part is Greek in origin and translates roughly as furious. The aurantidorsalis part is much more straightforward meaning orange backed. So, without further ado, we present to you the Furious Fringe Orange Back Fish. All in favor of a rename, click like. 

Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis comes only from the waters surrounding Sulawesi, where they are found near reefs in relatively shallow water (under 90 feetish). They live in large groups that often feature multiple species of similar appearing fish, like other wrasses and even some anthias. Orange Back Fairies are small fish, that average about three inches long at adulthood, though a very big, healthy male might get as long as four inches in time. They're very active once acclimated, so you'll need a tank that has a little room, even though the individual fish are small. We'd recommend something that was at least four feet long, and 55 gallons or more. This tank should feature lots of rockwork with plenty of places to hide and swim through. Cirrhilabrus wrasses will make themselves a cocoon of mucus to sleep in and lodge themselves in a tight-fitting gap in the rocks to sleep at night. It is postulated that the cocoon helps mask their scent from predators. Regardless of the reason why, Cirrhilabrus wrasses don't need a sandbed to stay healthy (unlike many other wrasses). You could still choose to have a sandbed, but this choice is purely aesthetic. One nonnegotiable aspect of keeping any Cirrhilabrus is a tightly covered tank. When they are startled, they bolt. When this happens in an upward direction, they can “jump” out of the tank; this is never ideal even if you are there to save them, but it's much worse when you aren't. Just cover the tank.

Like most planktivores, Orange Back Wrasses are as reef safe as any fish can get. They're unlikely in the extreme to bother corals, clams, feather dusters or any mobile inverts too big to eat (which is pretty much everything larger than maybe some Periclimenes genus shrimp. They're also really peaceful in regard to other fish, including other Fairy Wrasses (same and different species) as long as the aquarium is big enough. When adding other Orange Backs (and other very similar looking species), try to add them all at once to minimize territorial aggression. Other peaceful fishlike Cardinals, Ocellaris Clowns, Gobies, Butterflies, Rabbitfish, Dragonettes, and Goatfish (among many others) would all make for good tankmates and interesting displays. We would caution you against keeping them in tanks with very aggressive and boisterous fish that might bully them into hiding during mealtimes. They'll be fine with larger, active, but generally peaceful fish like many of the Tangs if those fish are added later.

Adding to the list of their desirable traits, Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis is very durable, and easy to keep fish. They're easy to feed too, as long as they aren't hiding during mealtimes, which might happen when you initially add them to the aquarium (kinda shy right away). They will soon learn to associate your presence tankside with food and stop bolting for cover when your shadow graces a doorframe. You should feed them a minimum of two times a day, and three or more would be even better. Their high activity level means they like many snacks to fuel that metabolism. Here we feed them a mix of Gamma foods including the full run of Brine Plus (Omega-3, Garlic and Spirulina) as well as Rotifers, Mysis, Chopped Prawn and Chopped Mussel. We also offer the Orange Backs Nutramar Complete Pellets which are imperative when ensuring that your fish get enough protein and a broad spectrum of vitamins and nutrients.

Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis is an absolutely stunning addition to any reef or FOWLR display. All the adults (and most of the large juveniles) as boldly colored with bright blue bellies, red heads and sunset multicolor fins with orange backs and flanks. The older, more mature males will be the starkest colors, and will develop a crown marking on top of their head, and their scales can develop dark blue or black outlines along their sides. Among fairy wrasses they are some of the bolder species, but still incredibly peaceful. It's been our experience that they'll show their best colors once acclimated in your aquarium. All this plus rare and hardy? Why are you waiting? Hit your LFS and ask them if you can get one (or five) Furious Fringe Orange Back Fish (Orange Back Fairy Wrasses) from Quality Marine today!