Description

The Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lubbocki) is a peaceful, vibrant, and reef-safe wrasse species that’s well-suited for community marine aquariums. It’s especially popular due to its manageable size, attractive coloration, and ease of care.

🐠 Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse Description:

• Scientific Name: Cirrhilabrus lubbocki

• Common Name: Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse

• Origin: Western Pacific (Philippines, Indonesia, Timor Sea)

• Size: Up to 3 inches (7.5 cm)

• Coloration: Males display vivid pink to orange bodies with bluish-purple dorsal fins and vertical bands; females are more muted (peach or pale orange)

• Temperament: Peaceful

• Lifespan: 4–6 years in captivity

🧪 Tank Requirements:

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons (larger if in a community or with other wrasses)

• Water Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)

• pH Level: 8.1–8.4

• Specific Gravity: 1.020–1.025

• Water Hardness: 8–12 dKH

• Aquascape: Open swimming space with plenty of live rock and hiding spots

🍤 Diet:

• Carnivorous – Thrives on a protein-rich diet:

  • Frozen mysis shrimp and brine shrimp

  • Finely chopped seafood

  • Enriched marine pellets and flakes

  • Copepods and amphipods if available

Feed 2–3 times daily.

🤝 Compatibility:

• Reef Safe: Yes – very coral- and invertebrate-friendly

• Tankmates:

  • Does well in peaceful community tanks

  • Can be kept with other fairy wrasses (ideally one male with multiple females)

  • Avoid aggressive species or other similar-looking males in small tanks

💡 Care Tips:

• Known jumper – a tight-fitting lid is essential.

• Coloration is best maintained with good water quality and a varied diet.

• Males become more colorful in the presence of females and during mating displays.

• May hide during initial acclimation but quickly becomes active.