Peacock Flasher Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus Temmincki) saltwater aquarium fish portrait

Cirrhilabrus temminckii is a slender fairy wrasse that reaches roughly 4 inches, built for constant motion above the reef. The upper body carries a reddish wash that fades to a pink or white belly, with a stripe running from the snout toward the tail and a line of spots that can merge into a short posterior stripe. Males are the more strongly marked sex, showing bolder pattern definition and elongated pelvic fins, and they intensify that display when courting. The species ranges through the tropical Western Pacific from Japan and the Philippines south to northern and Western Australia, where it occupies seaward reef rubble between about 3 and 35 meters and gathers in feeding aggregations in the water column.

Adult housing should begin at 75 gallons, with the emphasis placed on horizontal swimming length rather than height. Aquascape with generous rockwork that includes crevices and caves, since this wrasse retreats into the reef structure to sleep and needs immediate cover when startled. A tight-fitting lid is not optional equipment for this fish. Flashers are accomplished jumpers, particularly when chased or spooked at night, so overflow boxes, cable pass-throughs, and any open corner should be screened or sealed before the fish is introduced. No special substrate is required, and mature, established systems with stable conditions suit this species best given its moderate care requirements.

On the reef, this wrasse is a zooplankton feeder, rising off rubble slopes in loose groups to pick prey from passing water. That foraging style translates directly into captive feeding: small, meaty particles delivered often rather than large single meals. Suitable offerings include mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp or Artemia, krill, small crustaceans, finely chopped shrimp, squid, clam, and fish flesh, supplemented with quality frozen preparations and appropriately sized flakes.

Feed two to three small portions daily, and lean toward the higher end of that schedule while a new specimen is settling in. Transport and acclimation are the most demanding phase of keeping this fish, so select an alert individual that is already eating, and inspect the mouth and jaw for shipping damage before purchase. Younger specimens often adjust to aquarium life more readily than fully mature males. Confirm active food acceptance within the first days, and keep tankmates calm enough that the wrasse can reach the food without being displaced.

Mysis Shrimp Enriched Brine Shrimp Krill Chopped Shrimp Squid Clam Fish Flesh Marine Flakes
This is an active, open-water swimmer that spends the day patrolling above the rockwork and dives into crevices at lights out. Males can be territorial toward other fairy wrasses and toward fish of similar color and body shape, and cramped quarters sharpen that response, which is why generous swimming room matters as much as total volume. A single specimen does well, though a pair or one male with several females is an excellent arrangement when the footprint supports it. Males frequently withhold their brightest display coloration when no females are present.

Tankmates should be chosen with the fish's temperament in mind on both sides of the equation. Shy individuals are easily intimidated by boisterous or aggressive species, which can suppress feeding, so avoid pairing this wrasse with bullies while still expecting some assertiveness from mature males toward look-alike competitors. Reef compatibility is excellent: this species does not damage corals or clams and presents no documented threat to ornamental shrimp, crabs, or snails, making it a strong candidate for mixed reef displays. Observe normal behavior after introduction, as with any new addition.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Peacock Flasher Wrasse

  • How large an aquarium does an adult Peacock Flasher Wrasse need?
    Plan on a minimum of 75 gallons for an adult, and favor a tank with long horizontal swimming room over a tall footprint. Ample rock shelter and a fully secured cover are just as important as the volume itself.
  • Is the Peacock Flasher Wrasse safe for a reef aquarium?
    Yes. It is considered coral-safe and invertebrate-safe, with no documented threat to clams, ornamental shrimp, crabs, or snails.
  • Why does this wrasse need a covered aquarium?
    Flasher wrasses jump readily, especially when startled or chased by a tankmate. A tight lid plus sealed overflow and cable gaps prevents the most common cause of loss in captivity.