Claire's Fairy Wrasse
Cirrhilabrus claire
An elusive deep-water wrasse from French Polynesia featuring striking violet-purple and golden-yellow coloration. It needs a 150L aquarium, cooler temperatures (21-25°C), and a secure mesh lid.
Température de l’eau
21 - 25 °C
Valeur du pH
8.1 - 8.4
Type d'eau
Marin
Niveau dans le bac
Milieu
Taille adulte
8,5 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 150 L
Groupe minimal
>= 1
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Central Pacific Ocean, Cook Islands and French Polynesia. Inhabits deep reef slopes (beyond 50-100 meters). Typically found in shallow waters and reef areas rich in hiding places. An elusive deepwater species native to the tropical Pacific Ocean, inhabiting rubble slopes at depths between 50 and 100 meters.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Belongs to the family Labridae. Characterized by a body structure adapted to its active lifestyle, showing bright coloration. Size up to 8.5 cm. Classified in the family Labridae, it belongs to the genus Cirrhilabrus, famous for their vibrant colors and peaceful nature.
Social Behavior: Active species with a peaceful temperament. Shows moderate to high territorial habits depending on sex and population density. Typically observed in small harems consisting of a single dominant male and multiple females swimming above the substrate.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Males and females display visible differences in color pattern and vibrancy, especially during the courtship phase. Displays intense violet-purple and golden-yellow colorations, which reflect bioluminescent wavelengths in their dim deepwater habitat.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Requires a marine tank of at least 39 gallons (approx. 150.0 liters), decorated with live rocks to provide natural shelter. For sand-dwelling wrasses, a fine sand bed of at least 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) is essential. Set up a mature tank of at least 300 liters with moderate lighting and plenty of rocky overhangs to mimic deep-water environments.
Diet and Feeding: Zooplanktivorous. Diet based on mysis, copepods, and small crustaceans. It is recommended to feed the fish two or three times daily in small portions. Offer a high-protein diet consisting of mysis shrimp, cyclops, lobster eggs, and enriched marine flakes fed several times a day.
Water Quality: Stable parameters: temperature 21.0-25.0°C, pH 8.1-8.4, SG stable between 1.020 and 1.025. Monitored nitrates and phosphates. Requires cooler water temperatures (22-25 °C) and pristine conditions with high dissolved oxygen levels and low organic waste.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Compatible with reef fish. Avoid housing with larger predators or highly aggressive tankmates. Reef-safe and highly compatible with other peaceful community fish. Avoid housing with aggressive wrasses or large territorial fish.
Aquarium Breeding: Protogynous hermaphrodite. Pelagic spawning in nature during twilight. No records of aquarium reproduction. Breeding behavior involves dramatic color changes and high-speed spawning rises, but rearing larvae in captivity is not yet viable.
Risks and Diseases: Sensitive to transport stress and high jump risk; requires a tightly fitted aquarium lid. Excellent jumpers; the aquarium must be covered with a tight-fitting mesh lid or glass canopy to prevent escape.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Central Pacific Ocean, Cook Islands and French Polynesia. Inhabits deep reef slopes (beyond 50-100 meters). Typically found in shallow waters and reef areas rich in hiding places. An elusive deepwater species native to the tropical Pacific Ocean, inhabiting rubble slopes at depths between 50 and 100 meters.
Origine
Océans tropicaux et récifs
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Active
- The Cirrhilabrus claire is widely known for its peaceful and somewhat timid demeanor. They make excellent additions to peaceful community tanks but can be easily intimidated by large, aggressive species. When kept in a suitable environment, they are incredibly active and outgoing, providing constant movement and vibrant flashes of color.
- Régime alimentaire
- Planktivore
- In the wild, the Cirrhilabrus claire is predominantly a zooplanktivore that feeds continuously in the water column. In captivity, it adapts readily to a varied diet consisting of high-quality marine flakes, pellets, and frozen foods. Providing enriched mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and Calanus will help maintain its vibrant coloration and overall health.
- Espérance de vie
- 5-8 years
- Taille adulte
- 8.5 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Harem
- A proper harem structure is the most natural way to keep the Cirrhilabrus claire. It is generally recommended to keep one male with several females to disperse any potential aggression. Keeping multiple males of the same species usually results in intense fighting unless the aquarium is exceptionally large with ample hiding spaces.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- Due to its active nature and small stomach, the Cirrhilabrus claire should be fed small amounts multiple times a day. Two to three feedings per day are generally recommended to keep them in optimal condition. Infrequent feeding may lead to weight loss and a weakened immune system over time.
- Charge biologique
- Low to Medium
- The Cirrhilabrus claire generally has a moderate bioload. These are highly active fish that require frequent feedings to sustain their high metabolic rate. Consequently, this leads to a proportional amount of waste being produced in the aquarium. Proper filtration and regular water changes are essential to maintain the pristine water quality they need.
- Courant
- Strong
- The Cirrhilabrus claire prefers moderate to strong water movement in the aquarium. This flow simulates their natural reef environment and encourages their natural swimming and foraging behaviors. Ensuring adequate flow also helps keep their preferred zooplankton foods suspended in the water column longer.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- There is an extremely high risk of jumping associated with the Cirrhilabrus claire. They are easily startled by sudden movements, changes in lighting, or aggressive tank mates, which often results in them darting towards the surface. A tight-fitting lid or fine mesh screen is absolutely mandatory to prevent them from leaping out of the aquarium.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Like most wrasses, the Cirrhilabrus claire is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning all individuals are born female. As they mature, the dominant female in a group will undergo a transformation into a male. Breeding in captivity is rare due to the complex pelagic larval stage, which requires specialized food and rearing conditions.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Community
- The Cirrhilabrus claire is typically considered reef safe and a peaceful community fish. It will not bother corals, clams, or most ornamental invertebrates found in a reef tank. However, caution should be exercised when mixing them with other fairy wrasses or flasher wrasses, as males can become territorial towards similar species.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Middle
- The Cirrhilabrus claire is primarily a mid-water swimmer that spends the majority of its time actively navigating the open water column. It will frequently dart in and out of the rockwork while searching for food or seeking refuge. At night, they secrete a mucus cocoon and sleep wedged within the crevices of the live rock.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3,4 ± 0,4 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.01072, b = 3.03
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
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