Temmrick Fairy Wrasse

Temminck’s Fairy Wrasse Description

• Scientific name: Cirrhilabrus temminckii

• Common name: Temminck’s Fairy Wrasse

• Appearance:

  • Males show vibrant blue, purple, red, and yellow accents, especially when displaying or flashing

  • Females are more subdued but still elegant

• Size: ~4–5 inches (10–13 cm)

• Origin: Indo-Pacific reefs

• Lifespan: 5+ years with proper care

Care Level

✅ Moderate
Great choice for reef keepers with some experience — hardy once established.

Tank Requirements

Tank Size

• Minimum: 55 gallons

• Preferred: 75+ gallons for males or multiple wrasses

Tank Setup

• Plenty of live rock for swimming paths and retreat spots

• Open water space + rockwork = happy wrasse

• TIGHT LID REQUIRED 🚨 (they are expert jumpers)

Water Parameters

Stable reef conditions:

• Temperature: 75–80°F (24–27°C)

• Salinity: 1.024–1.026

• pH: 8.1–8.4

• Nitrates: <10–15 ppm

• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0

Lighting & Flow

• Lighting: Reef lighting (no special requirements)

• Flow: Moderate to strong, random flow preferred

Diet

🍽️ Carnivore / Planktivore

Feed 2–3 small meals daily:

• Mysis shrimp

• Brine shrimp (enriched)

• Copepods

• High-quality marine pellets/flakes

They have fast metabolisms — frequent feeding keeps colors vibrant.

Temperament & Compatibility

• Peaceful to semi-aggressive

• Safe with corals and inverts 🪸

• May show dominance toward similar fairy wrasses (especially males)

• Best kept:

  • Singly

  • Or as a male with multiple females in larger tanks

Avoid mixing with overly aggressive fish.

Special Notes

• Does NOT bury in sand (unlike flasher or leopard wrasses)

• Sleeps in rock crevices or mucus cocoons

• Will “flash” brighter colors during courtship or territorial displays ✨

Signs of a Healthy Temminck’s Wrasse

✅ Constant swimming
✅ Strong appetite
✅ Bright coloration
✅ Curious, alert behavior

Red Flags

🚩 Hiding constantly
🚩 Refusing food
🚩 Frayed fins or faded color
🚩 Jumping attempts (usually means stress)

Final Thoughts

Temminck’s Fairy Wrasse is a fantastic reef-safe show fish — active, colorful, and generally well-behaved. If you’ve got a covered tank and peaceful tankmates, it’s a winner.