Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis is a compact fairy wrasse that matures near 3 inches, ranging from the Red Sea through the Gulf of Oman along fringing reefs built over coral and rubble. Dominant males carry deep red across the upper body that fades to pale yellow or white below, with red dorsal and anal fins edged and spotted in blue and a dark blue tail marked with pale spots. The first two dorsal-fin membranes extend into the long filaments that give the fish its name. Females and juveniles are more uniformly orange to orange-red with fine blue longitudinal lines, and juveniles show a dark spot near the caudal peduncle along with a white mark on the snout.

Adult housing should begin with a 50-gallon aquarium or larger, arranged so that open water for cruising sits alongside live rock built into crevices and caves. This species does not bury in sand; instead it wedges into rockwork at night and may sleep within a mucus cocoon, so retreat options matter more than substrate depth. A mature reef system suits it best, since established rock and steady water conditions support its constant activity. Fairy wrasses jump readily when startled or pursued, making a tightly fitted lid and screened or baffled overflow essential rather than optional. Care level is moderate, largely because new arrivals need attentive handling before they settle in.