Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse

Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lubbocki)

 

Common Names

• Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse

• Multicolour Fairy Wrasse

• Multicolor Lubbock's Wrasse

• Tricolour Fairy Wrasse

• Scientific Name: Cirrhilabrus lubbocki

 

Identification

The Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse is a small, colourful and active marine fish belonging to the Labridae family. Native to the Western Pacific, particularly the Philippines and Indonesia, this species is well known for its beautiful combination of red, orange, yellow, purple and blue coloration.

Males are generally more vibrant and colourful, displaying a reddish or purplish-blue body with bright orange-yellow highlights along the back and distinctive blue, white and reddish markings. Females and juveniles typically have softer, less intense coloration, although they can still display attractive colours.

Colouration can vary depending on the geographical collection location, maturity and breeding condition. Males often become particularly colourful when displaying to females.

Adults typically reach approximately 3 inches (7–8 cm) in length.

 

Behaviour & Role

The Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse is a peaceful, active and relatively social fish that spends most of its time swimming through the middle and upper portions of the aquarium.

It is a natural zooplankton feeder and constantly explores the water column in search of small food particles. Its active swimming behaviour and attractive colours make it an excellent addition to peaceful community reef aquariums.

This species can be kept individually or in a small group consisting of one male and multiple females, provided the aquarium is sufficiently large. However, males may become territorial towards other males of the same species.

Like other fairy wrasses, Lubbock's Wrasse is a jumper and may leap out of the aquarium when startled or chased.

At night, it typically retreats into rock crevices to sleep and may produce a protective mucus cocoon.

 

Compatibility & Caution

The Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse is considered reef safe and is generally compatible with corals, clams and most ornamental invertebrates.

It is an excellent choice for peaceful community reef aquariums and can coexist with a variety of marine fish.

However, avoid housing it with aggressive or overly territorial fish that may intimidate it or prevent it from feeding properly.

A secure aquarium lid or properly fitted mesh screen is essential, as this species is known to jump.

 

Care Level

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

• Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons recommended

• Maximum Size: Approximately 3 inches

• Temperature: 75–80°F (24–27°C)

• pH: 8.1–8.4

• Specific Gravity: 1.023–1.026

• Water Hardness: Typical stable marine aquarium conditions

• Temperament: Peaceful

• Reef Compatibility: Reef Safe

• Diet: Carnivore / Planktivore

• Swimming Level: Middle to Upper

Care Notes:

• Provide plenty of live rock with caves and crevices where the fish can retreat and rest.

• Maintain open swimming areas, as this species is an active swimmer.

• A tight-fitting aquarium lid or mesh screen is mandatory to prevent jumping.

• Maintain stable water parameters and good water quality.

• Avoid aggressive tankmates, particularly larger territorial wrasses and dottybacks.

• Introduce the fish into an established aquarium where it can comfortably compete for food.

• Although relatively hardy once established, newly introduced specimens may initially be shy and should be monitored to ensure they are eating.

 

Diet & Food:

The Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse is a carnivore that primarily feeds on zooplankton in the wild.

It generally adapts well to aquarium feeding and accepts a variety of prepared and frozen foods.

 

Recommended foods include:

• Frozen Mysis Shrimp

• Enriched Brine Shrimp

• Copepods

• Calanus

• Finely Chopped Seafood

• High-quality Marine Pellets

• Marine Flakes

Feed small portions two to three times daily to support its active lifestyle and maintain healthy body condition.

 

Tank Mates

Suitable tank mates include:

• Clownfish

• Anthias

• Chromis

• Gobies

• Blennies

• Dartfish

• Cardinalfish

• Peaceful Fairy Wrasses

• Flasher Wrasses

• Leopard Wrasses

• Tangs (provided adequate swimming space is available)

• Dragonets

 

Avoid aggressive dottybacks, large predatory fish, aggressive wrasses and overly territorial damselfish that may bully or outcompete this peaceful species.

 

Fun Fact

Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals begin life as females or juveniles, and some can transition into males as they mature. Dominant males display their brightest colours during courtship, making them particularly spectacular to watch in an aquarium!