Where's the fairy wrasse?

CoralNerd · Jan 8, 2015

All the LFS seem to be out of fairy wrasse.

I'm thinking about the Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse.

Has anyone ever had this wrasse, if yes, what's your experience with the fish, and where did you get it?

(Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis)
Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse

To me this looks like the wrasse to get.

Fairy lover comments welcome LOL

Aquaph8 · Jan 8, 2015

Bluezoo had them in stock yesterday

CoralNerd · Jan 8, 2015

Aquaph8 said:
Bluezoo had them in stock yesterday

Have you had one in your tank?

Aquaph8 · Jan 8, 2015

No, that's one I've always wanted to add but never have.

CoralNerd · Jan 8, 2015

Any Fairy Lovers welcome to comment.

TarHeelReefer22 · Jan 9, 2015

I had one for about a year till I added an African flasher which I foolishly took out of qt a week early and it introduced a wrasse specific disease which later whipped out all my wrasse 7 total to be exact. I got him from the LFS I work in and we order them in regularly...might be something you can request from your local guys.

saltyhog · Jan 9, 2015

I had one for about a year and gave him to a friend to make room for a Lineatus. Wish I hadn't. Very nice fish, not aggressive with my other wrasse, nice color. The best of the "blue" fairy wrasses IMO the yellow flanked is pretty awesome too.

CoralNerd · Jan 9, 2015

TarHeelReefer22 said:
I had one for about a year till I added an African flasher which I foolishly took out of qt a week early and it introduced a wrasse specific disease which later whipped out all my wrasse 7 total to be exact. I got him from the LFS I work in and we order them in regularly...might be something you can request from your local guys.

The temptation of something new, it will always screw you. Everything is so tempting in this hobby!

stunreefer · Jan 9, 2015

They're a fantastic fish, fairly peaceful and very boisterous once settled in. They're around consistently so just keep your eyes peeled

CoralNerd · Jan 9, 2015

stunreefer said:
They're a fantastic fish, fairly peaceful and very boisterous once settled in. They're around consistently so just keep your eyes peeled

Cool to hear.

What area are you from where you see them at LFS often?

What do you mean by boisterous, is there a less boisterous wrasse?

Do you think Anthius are less boisterous?

CoralNerd · Jan 9, 2015

Boisterous=energetic should I be asking for more. Sounds great.

stunreefer · Jan 9, 2015

CoralNerd said:
What area are you from where you see them at LFS often?

I'm in the industry and see them available from wholesaler regularly. Keep an eye out on Divers Den and other sponsors here, or most LFS should be able to add one to their orders if you request one.

CoralNerd said:
What do you mean by boisterous, is there a less boisterous wrasse?

As you mentioned, quite outgoing and energetic. They're not a fish that is overly cryptic, or hiding in the rocks a lot. They'll be pacing back and forth at the glass once settled in in most tanks.

CoralNerd said:
Do you think Anthius are less boisterous?

Some are... smaller schooling anthias tend to be a bit more timid and keep to their own, whereas larger anthias tend to be bullies and should be thought of more like a dwarf grouper (which technically speaking all anthias are).

CoralNerd · Jan 9, 2015

Do you think this wrasse is seasonal? Energetic, will it attack my Yasha Goby or Purple Firefish?

Large Anthias like groupers, wow.

Tphill · Jan 9, 2015

I have one in my tank along with a Red-Headed Solon Fairy Wrasse, Cirrhilabrus solorensis. Between these two there is some chasing occasionally, especially in the evening when just the blue lights are on. No nipping at all. They leave the other fish alone. Other fish that have been in the tank with them include clown, firefish, carpenter's flasher wrasse, and pajama cardinal.

eatbreakfast · Jan 9, 2015

They are a fairly peaceful fairy wrasse, and like most congenerics is fairly active. They are available year round. I have found that they lose color ntensity in captivity.

Marshall O · Jan 9, 2015

TarHeelReefer22 said:
I had one for about a year till I added an African flasher which I foolishly took out of qt a week early and it introduced a wrasse specific disease which later whipped out all my wrasse 7 total to be exact. I got him from the LFS I work in and we order them in regularly...might be something you can request from your local guys.

Care to elaborate on the Wrasse specific disease? I have 12 Wrasses in on of my tanks, so curious to hear what you are talking about.

CoralNerd · Jan 15, 2015

The verdict is I'm getting a female Red Head Solon Fairy Wrasse & a Yellow Corris Wrasse...introduction to the tank together tomorrow night. 85g

Other tank mates Yasha goby yellow watchmen, who share a home with a pistol shrimp. And my first fish I got who lives in a separate home purple firefish.

Triggreef · Jan 15, 2015

I ordered a halichoerus wrasse from r2g and got an orange sided fairy instead. Very pretty fish anyway so I was happy especially since it was free in the long run. His temperament was very good too, great fish for about 6 months until he jumped out through my closed canopy somehow. Plan to hunt another one down if I ever have space for new fish again.

lafayettereefer · Jan 16, 2015

I have an orange back in my current tank and he's doing great. He adds a lot of movement to my tank and is As quick as a bullet. He gives my anthias a run for their money come feeding time. I also have a rimless tank and he doesn't seem to be much of a jumper

eatbreakfast · Jan 16, 2015

CoralNerd said:
The verdict is I'm getting a female Red Head Solon Fairy Wrasse

Just a heads up, that often another species of fairy wrasse is sold as a female solorensis. The pic that LA uses is actually a male C. cf. cyanopleura. So if you are buying a female in hopes of it transitioning to a male solorensi beware that it will not happen with this fish.