Earle's Fairy Wrasse, Male

(Cirrhilabrus earlei)

Cirrhilabrus Wrasse are known as Fairy Wrasses and are some of the most beautiful of the marine fish. Males tend to be more colorful and a bit larger than the females. Fairy Wrasse are generally easy, peaceful and reef safe but may pick at small crustaceans. Harems can be kept in the aquarium with 1 male and several females if added at the same time. Provide an aquarium with ample rock work with plenty of crevices and caves for hiding and resting. A diet rich in meaty foods as well as algae based foods should be provided for continued health. Wrasse are hermaphrodites meaning they start as juveniles/females but at some point in their life may turn into a male. Fairy Wrasse are known to be jumpers provide an aquarium with a tight fitting lid.

The Earle's Fairy Wrasse is also known simply as the Orange Striped Fairy Wrasse. Not often seen in the aquarium trade. Male and female Earle's Fairy Wrasse will have slightly color differences. Males are pink to white with red horizontal lines, yellow spot behind its eyes and orange spot on its head and along the base of its dorsal fin. Females will lack the yellow spot behind its eye. Earle's Fairy Wrasse can grow up to almost 4".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 30 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

  • Care: CareEasyEasy CareModerateModerate
  • Behavior: BehaviorSocialSocial
  • Diet: DietFlake FoodFlake Food DietLive FoodLive Food DietFrozen FoodFrozen Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef
  • Light: LightMediumMedium