Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Cirrhilabrus

Cirrhilabrus earlei

Randall & Pyle 2001

Orange-striped Fairy Wrasse

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Central Pacific Ocean: Palau.

Size: 4 inches - 10 cm

Natural Environment: Inhabits sandy and rubble areas at the bases of steep protected seaward reefs and usually found at depths between 200 – 300 feet (60– 90 m) where it feeds on zooplankton.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade as this is a deep-water species and often quite expensive. The male generally has a whitish pink body with several red horizontal lines and a yellow patch behind the eyes and the females are similar in color, yet lack the yellow patch.

Best maintained in a dimly lit fish-only aquarium, yet can be maintained in a reef aquarium if given numerous rocky caves and hiding areas.

As to diet, will eat most regular aquarium foods, e.g., finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc., and should be offered two to three times daily.

Taxonomy:

    Order: Perciformes

    Suborder: Labroidei

    Family: Labridae

    Genus: Cirrhilabrus

FYI: Those in this genus may hide for several days when first introduced, and are also good jumpers, therefore covered aquariums, possibly with eggcrate, are necessary to prevent them from jumping out of the aquarium.

They don't bury themselves in the sand at night, as do many other wrasses. Instead, they may form a mucus cocoon similar to some parrotfishes and/or wedge themselves into a rock crevice. It should be noted the cocoon remnants do not seem to harm water quality or other aquarium inhabitants.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Cirrhilabrus earlei (Orange-striped Fairy Wrasse)
Photo © LiveAquaria.com
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