Red Eye Solor Fairy Wrasse saltwater fish care guide

Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus is a compact fairy wrasse from eastern Indonesia that spent years in the aquarium trade under the name Cirrhilabrus solorensis before being formally separated in 2021. Terminal males are unmistakable: a bright yellow head washes into orange across the nape, a red iris sits above an intense blue-to-indigo opercular patch that forms the diagnostic chin-strap, and the upper body glows iridescent aquamarine to teal over a cream underside. Females are considerably more restrained, showing an orange-pink head, a greenish snout and nape, and an olive-green body that fades toward pink with a small dark mark near the caudal peduncle. Adults reach roughly 4 inches.

The species is concentrated around eastern Sulawesi, the Banggai Islands and Wakatobi, with occasional reports from Banda Neira, where it patrols shallow exposed rubble between about 5 and 20 meters. A 75-gallon aquarium is the practical minimum for a single adult, and larger footprints are preferable if a harem is planned. Build the layout around long, unobstructed swimming lanes backed by rockwork with caves and crevices, since this wrasse cruises open midwater for much of the day but retreats to cover when settling in or as the lights dim. Established, well-filtered systems with moderate to strong flow suit it best, with calmer pockets among the rocks. A tightly fitted lid or fine jump guard is not optional; startled individuals leave the water readily.

In the wild this wrasse feeds as a planktivore, picking zooplankton from the water column as it moves above the rubble. In the aquarium it takes a range of small meaty items: mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped krill, fish roe and fine frozen plankton all register as food, and a quality carnivore pellet or flake rounds out the rotation once the fish is settled.

Feed small portions two or three times daily rather than one large meal. The species is constantly active and burns through energy quickly, so frequent modest feedings keep weight on and color saturated. New arrivals generally adapt without difficulty when kept calm and undisturbed during their first days after transport; dim lighting and an absence of aggressive tankmates during that window go a long way toward a smooth transition.

Mysis Shrimp Brine Shrimp Chopped Krill Fish Roe Frozen Plankton Carnivore Pellets Marine Flakes
Expect an animated, peaceful fish that spends its day weaving between the rocks and sweeping through open water. Social displays involve intensified or flashing coloration, most obvious in terminal males. Keep either a single specimen or a harem of one male with several females, and introduce all group members at the same time so that no individual establishes a prior claim. Males may posture toward conspecifics or closely related fairy wrasses, so allow generous space if such combinations are attempted.

Peaceful marine community fish make the most sensible companions. This wrasse is reef safe and does not nip corals or sessile invertebrates, and ornamental shrimp and snails are typically ignored. Compatibility with clams, crabs and very small fish has not been specifically documented, so those pairings warrant observation rather than assumption.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Red Eye Solor Fairy Wrasse

  • Is this the same fish as Cirrhilabrus solorensis?
    No. Cirrhilabrus aquamarinus was historically misidentified and traded as C. solorensis, and a 2021 taxonomic study described it as a distinct species from Sulawesi, Banggai and Wakatobi material while restricting true C. solorensis to a separately diagnosed fish.
  • Should this wrasse be kept singly or in a group?
    Either a lone specimen or a harem of one male with several females works well. All group members should be introduced simultaneously to prevent territorial friction.
  • Is it safe with corals, shrimp and snails?
    Yes. It is reef safe and does not nip corals or sessile invertebrates, and ornamental shrimp and snails are normally left alone.