| Care Level | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 55 gallons |
| Max Size | 3 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
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| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 2" or smaller - Male - Indo-Pacific |
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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.
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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.
Naoko’s Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus naokoae) is a small fairy wrasse known for its clean tri-color pattern: a red upper body, bright yellow mid-band, and pale underside. In established reef tanks, males often show a raised “shark-fin” front dorsal and a brighter, high-contrast look during display.
What You’ll Observe:
- Midwater cruising with quick turns through rockwork
- Short, predictable display bursts near the end of the light cycle
- A “settle-in” period where it stays closer to cover, then becomes more visible over time
- Fast, energetic laps right after feeding
- Most attention directed at similar-shaped wrasses rather than dissimilar fish
To help it do well, provide open swimming room plus rockwork with multiple hiding lanes, and keep a tight-fitting lid since fairy wrasses launch upward when excited. Offer small meaty foods in a couple smaller feedings per day, and you’ll typically see stronger daytime activity and more consistent evening displays.
How long does it usually take to act “normal” after introduction?
Many settle in gradually over days to a few weeks, becoming more visible as they learn the feeding routine.
Why does it look brighter at certain times of day?
Males commonly intensify color and raise the front dorsal during short display periods, often near lights-out.
Is it normal for the body to look darker in captivity sometimes?
Yes—many owners report temporary darkening that shifts with lighting, mood, and social dynamics.
Will it eat pellets, or does it stay a frozen-only fish?
Most learn pellets once they associate the water column with feeding; mixing pellet with frozen speeds the switch.
Can I add more wrasses later, or should this one go in last?
Hobbyists usually get the best results by planning wrasse order carefully and avoiding adding very similar fairy wrasses after it is established.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
