What minimum aquarium size should I plan for?

Plan on at least 70 gallons for an adult, paired with generous rockwork and open midwater swimming space. Published guidance for this species ranges from roughly 50 gallons to about 132 gallons, so a larger footprint is always an advantage.

Is Labout's Fairy Wrasse safe for a reef aquarium?

Yes. It is consistently described as coral-safe and does not bother corals or sessile invertebrates, though very small ornamental shrimp deserve some caution since fairy wrasses have occasionally been reported to pick at tiny crustaceans.

How should a group be structured?

Keep one male with several females, introducing them together or adding the females first. Only one male should be housed per aquarium unless the system is exceptionally large and closely managed.

Labout’s Fairy Wrasse

Cirrhilabrus laboutei

Wrasse Reef Safe Pest Control Carnivore

Care Level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Reef Safe

Yes

Max Size

5 inches

Min Tank

70 gallons

Origin

Vanuatu, Coral Sea

Diet

Carnivore

Food

Mysis Shrimp, Enriched Brine Shrimp, Copepods, Chopped Shrimp, Chopped Clam, Chopped Squid, Marine Flakes, Marine Pellets

Labout’s Fairy Wrasse is not in stock right now.

Shop Wrasses 67 available

Cirrhilabrus laboutei is a reef-associated fairy wrasse found from New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands through the Coral Sea to the Great Barrier Reef, with aquarium specimens commonly originating from Vanuatu and Coral Sea collection areas. Females display a yellowish-brown upper body crossed by three magenta stripes, set against a lavender-white underside. Males retain the striped pattern but add yellow edging around two of the magenta stripes and develop deeper lavender-pink coloration along the belly. Adults reach roughly 5 inches, and in the wild the species occupies rubble patches along seaward and back-reef slopes between about 7 and 55 meters.

Plan on a 70-gallon aquarium or larger for an adult, arranged with substantial rockwork that provides crevices and caves for shelter and nighttime resting. Because this wrasse does not normally bury itself in sand, secure rock structure matters far more than substrate depth, and open midwater lanes should be preserved for a fish that swims constantly. A mature, stable system with high water quality and moderate flow suits it best. A tight-fitting, gap-free lid is not optional: this species is an accomplished jumper, and an uncovered tank is the single most common cause of loss.

On the reef, Labout's Fairy Wrasse feeds on zooplankton picked from the water column, which explains its restless cruising behavior and its need for frequent small meals in captivity. Build the captive diet around small meaty items such as mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and copepods, supplemented with finely chopped shrimp, clam, squid, or fish flesh. Quality marine flakes and pellets are accepted readily once the fish has settled and help round out the rotation.

Feed two to three times daily rather than offering one large meal, which better reflects the constant grazing pattern of a planktivore and keeps this active swimmer in good condition. Newly introduced individuals often hide for several days before appearing at feeding time, so continue offering small portions and allow the fish to adjust at its own pace. This species is not known for long-term feeding refusal once acclimated.

Mysis Shrimp Enriched Brine Shrimp Copepods Chopped Shrimp Chopped Clam Chopped Squid Marine Flakes Marine Pellets

This is a peaceful, perpetually active wrasse that spends its day patrolling open water above the rockwork. Wild fish are observed in small groups on outer reefs, and the arrangement that works best in captivity is one male with several females, ideally introduced simultaneously or with the females established first. Keep only a single male per aquarium unless the system is exceptionally large and carefully managed. Expect some skittishness and hiding in the first days after introduction; a well-structured reef with plenty of retreats shortens that transition considerably.

Choose calm tankmates and avoid aggressive fishes that will bully a wrasse of this disposition. Males can become territorial toward other fairy wrasses or competing zooplankton feeders, so stock those groups thoughtfully and give the display enough swimming volume to diffuse disputes. Labout's Fairy Wrasse is reef safe and will not bother corals or sessile invertebrates, though fairy wrasses as a group are occasionally reported to pick at very small crustaceans, making tiny ornamental shrimp the one population worth watching.

Recommended Products

Premium Fish Food - Pellets - Reef Genetics

$11.99

TDO-C2 Chroma BOOST Fish Food - Reef Nutrition

$14.99

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Labout’s Fairy Wrasse

What minimum aquarium size should I plan for?

Plan on at least 70 gallons for an adult, paired with generous rockwork and open midwater swimming space. Published guidance for this species ranges from roughly 50 gallons to about 132 gallons, so a larger footprint is always an advantage.
Is Labout's Fairy Wrasse safe for a reef aquarium?

Yes. It is consistently described as coral-safe and does not bother corals or sessile invertebrates, though very small ornamental shrimp deserve some caution since fairy wrasses have occasionally been reported to pick at tiny crustaceans.
How should a group be structured?

Keep one male with several females, introducing them together or adding the females first. Only one male should be housed per aquarium unless the system is exceptionally large and closely managed.

Shop

Shop Related

Hand-picked Wrasses for your Labout’s Fairy Wrasse.