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Lubbock's fairy wrasse is one of the most colorful fairy wrasses in the trade - body shifts from pink to red to violet depending on mood and lighting. Males develop dramatic dorsal fin extensions during courtship displays. Reef-safe and an excellent introduction to the fairy wrasse genus for keepers stepping up from clownfish or damsels.
Native range: Western Pacific (Philippines, Indonesia). Wrasses (family Labridae) are one of the most diverse and successful fish families on coral reefs - approximately 600 described species worldwide, of which 40-60 are commonly available in the marine aquarium trade. The Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse is part of the Wrasse (Labridae) - Fairy wrasse grouping, characterized by elongated body shape, terminal-phase sex change (most species), and active reef-grazing or pest-control behavior.
Tank size: 55 gallons. Sand substrate is non-negotiable for sand-sleeping wrasse genera (Halichoeres, Macropharyngodon, Anampses) - 2-3 inches of fine pool-filter sand minimum. Rockwork should provide multiple cave entrances and tight crevices the fish can wedge into for sleeping or escape. Lid: tight-fitting, gap-free. Wrasses are the second-most-common jumping casualties in reef tanks after gobies - a single 1cm gap is enough.
Flow: moderate to moderately strong is preferred by most wrasses - they evolved on current-swept reefs. Lighting: standard reef LED works for all wrasses; the fish itself does not require special spectrum.
Carnivore - frozen mysis, brine, copepods, pellets. Most wrasses have very high metabolic rates and need 2-3 feedings daily. Skipping feedings during business travel or vacations leads to rapid condition loss - schedule automatic feeders or vendor-trusted tank-sitters for extended absences.
Safe: Most reef-safe community: clownfish, tangs, gobies, blennies, other genera of wrasses, dwarf angels.
Avoid: Other Cirrhilabrus males (aggressive territorial fights), very aggressive triggers, predators.
Not captive bred at commercial scale. Wild reproduction in spawning rises at dusk. Most wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites - born female, transition to male as they reach social dominance in a group. Tank breeding of wrasses is rare due to the complex behaviors and pelagic egg-laying that resists captive replication.
Jumping (top cause of death); territorial aggression with conspecific males; metabolism crash if underfed.
Lubbock's fairy wrasse is one of the most colorful fairy wrasses in the trade - body shifts from pink to red to violet depending on mood and lighting. Males develop dramatic dorsal fin extensions during courtship displays. Reef-safe and an excellent introduction to the fairy wrasse genus for keepers stepping up from clownfish or damsels. Native range: Western Pacific (Philippines, Indonesia).
The Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse needs a tank of at least 55 gallons. Sand substrate is non-negotiable for sand-sleeping wrasse genera (Halichoeres, Macropharyngodon, Anampses) - 2-3 inches of fine pool-filter sand minimum. Rockwork should provide multiple cave entrances and tight crevices the fish can wedge into for sleeping or escape. Wrasses are the second-most-common jumping casualties in reef tanks after gobies - a single 1cm gap is enough.
The Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse is rated beginner-friendly difficulty on this care sheet. It needs a tank of at least 55 gallons, a temperature of 74-82°F and salinity of 1.024-1.026. Adults reach about 3-3.5" and live 5-8 years. Lubbock's fairy wrasse is one of the most colorful fairy wrasses in the trade - body shifts from pink to red to violet depending on mood and lighting.
Carnivore - frozen mysis, brine, copepods, pellets. Most wrasses have very high metabolic rates and need 2-3 feedings daily. Skipping feedings during business travel or vacations leads to rapid condition loss - schedule automatic feeders or vendor-trusted tank-sitters for extended absences. Feed 2-3x daily; high metabolism.
Jumping (top cause of death); territorial aggression with conspecific males; metabolism crash if underfed. Keeper note: Tight lid required - fairy wrasses are notorious jumpers, especially in first 2-4 weeks. House one male per tank; multiple females + one male works in 75+ gallons. Feed 2-3x daily; high metabolism.
Not captive bred at commercial scale. Wild reproduction in spawning rises at dusk. Most wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites - born female, transition to male as they reach social dominance in a group. Tank breeding of wrasses is rare due to the complex behaviors and pelagic egg-laying that resists captive replication.
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