| Care Level | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Planktivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 70 gallons |
| Max Size | 3 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Only 1 left | 2.25" or smaller - Central Pacific |
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| Only 5 left | 2.25" or smaller - Central Pacific |
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Every order ships with our standard 3-hour live arrival guarantee. Need more time? Add our 5-Day Guarantee at checkout.
Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
Johnson’s Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus johnsoni) is a small fairy wrasse from the Marshall Islands, with warm orange-to-yellow body color and contrasting violet blotches that are most noticeable on adult males. It spends most of its time in open water above the rockwork, adding constant motion to reef tanks.
What You’ll Observe:
- Smooth, nonstop cruising in midwater with quick turns around rock edges
- Short “display passes” where color intensity increases during social moments
- A consistent evening routine of settling into the same preferred rock crevice
- A strong food response at the surface and in the water column once it recognizes feeding time
Provide an established aquarium with plenty of live rock for quick retreats plus open lanes for cruising, and use a tight-fitting lid or screen top. Offer small plankton-sized meaty foods (like mysis and enriched brine) along with fine pellets in multiple small feedings to match its active pace. In larger systems, it can be kept singly or as one male with females introduced together.
Do fairy wrasses change color during the day?
Yes—many keepers notice brighter colors during feeding, interaction with tankmates, and brief “display” swims, with calmer coloration when resting.
Why does my Johnson’s Fairy Wrasse disappear around lights-out?
It commonly chooses a specific sleeping spot in the rockwork and can wedge in surprisingly deep, then reappear on a regular schedule once the tank is “awake.”
Is it normal for a new fairy wrasse to stay low in the rockwork at first?
Often, yes. Many settle in by mapping the rockwork first, then gradually spend more time in open water as the tank routine becomes familiar.
How do I reduce jumping risk during the first week?
A full-coverage mesh lid plus blocking small overflow and rim gaps helps a lot, and a calmer light transition (ramp-up/ramp-down) supports smoother settling.
Can I keep it with other wrasses without constant sparring?
Mixing usually goes best when the wrasses differ in color/pattern and each has plenty of swim space and rockwork “lanes,” with introductions done thoughtfully (often using an acclimation box).
Shipped with pure oxygen and temperature control so it arrives stress-free and ready to eat.

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