{"product_id":"exquisite-wrasse-africa","title":"Exquisite Fairy Wrasse - Africa","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe African Exquisite Fairy Wrasse, \u003cem\u003eCirrhilabrus exquisitus\u003c\/em\u003e, is a beautifully patterned saltwater fish known for its rich green coloration, vivid scarlet and pink accents, metallic blue markings, and constantly changing appearance during social displays. African males are particularly distinctive, often developing a dusky forest-green body with a pale underside, a cherry-red to pink facial region, red accents along the dorsal and anal fins, iridescent blue spotting, and a prominent dark spot near the caudal peduncle. Color intensity can change dramatically with mood, maturity, and courtship behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe African form originates from the western Indian Ocean along the East African coastline, within a species whose broader distribution extends across much of the Indo-Pacific. In nature, Exquisite Fairy Wrasses inhabit reef edges, rubble zones, and low patch reefs with moderate current, often swimming in mixed-sex groups above the substrate while feeding on zooplankton. Their peaceful temperament, active swimming behavior, brilliant regional coloration, and excellent reef compatibility make them outstanding marine aquarium fish for established reef aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to Moderate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 90 gallons\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Planktivore \/ Carnivore\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e East Africa, Western Indian Ocean\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eCirrhilabrus exquisitus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTank Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Exquisite Fairy Wrasse should be maintained in an established marine aquarium with generous open swimming space combined with substantial rockwork for security. A 90-gallon or larger aquarium provides appropriate long-term room for this highly active species, which can reach approximately 5 inches as an adult.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArrange live rock to create caves, overhangs, and narrow crevices where the fish can retreat when frightened and rest at night. Unlike sand-burying wrasses, \u003cem\u003eCirrhilabrus\u003c\/em\u003e species normally seek shelter within reef structure, so a deep sand bed is not required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerate water movement, good oxygenation, efficient filtration, and stable water quality are ideal. Open-water areas are important because this species naturally spends much of the day swimming above the reef while searching for food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA tightly fitted mesh or solid aquarium cover is essential. Fairy wrasses are exceptional jumpers and can escape through very small openings around plumbing, cables, and equipment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet and Feeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Exquisite Fairy Wrasse is primarily a planktivore, naturally feeding on zooplankton and small crustaceans suspended in the water column.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffer a varied diet including mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped marine seafood, frozen plankton blends, and appropriately sized high-quality marine pellets. Foods dispersed through the water column encourage natural feeding behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo to three smaller meals per day are preferable when practical. Established reef aquariums containing naturally occurring copepods and other microfauna can provide additional feeding opportunities between prepared meals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Tankmates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Exquisite Fairy Wrasse is generally peaceful and works well with a wide variety of non-aggressive marine fish. Suitable tankmates include clownfish, gobies, blennies, cardinalfish, anthias, peaceful tangs, and other reef-community species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMature males may display toward other fairy wrasses, particularly males with similar coloration or body shape. Multiple \u003cem\u003eCirrhilabrus\u003c\/em\u003e species can often coexist in sufficiently spacious aquariums when introductions and species combinations are carefully planned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExquisite Fairy Wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning females can transition into males depending on social conditions. A single male can be maintained successfully without females.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid highly aggressive tankmates that may continually intimidate the wrasse or prevent it from feeding comfortably.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReef Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Exquisite Fairy Wrasse is considered \u003cstrong\u003ereef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e. It does not normally damage healthy corals and is generally compatible with ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, clams, and other common reef invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts natural feeding behavior is focused on small planktonic organisms suspended in the water rather than larger benthic invertebrates. Tiny copepods and other microcrustaceans may be consumed as part of normal feeding behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis combination of peaceful temperament and excellent coral compatibility makes the species particularly well suited to mixed and coral-dominated reef aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–80°F\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecific Gravity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.024–1.026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlkalinity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–12 dKH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStable conditions are more important than chasing exact numbers. Maintain consistent temperature and salinity along with strong oxygenation, dependable filtration, and regular aquarium maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Considerations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfrican regional coloration:\u003c\/strong\u003e African males commonly develop rich green coloration with prominent red or pink facial and fin accents, metallic blue spotting, and a dark caudal-peduncle spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExceptional jumping risk:\u003c\/strong\u003e A tightly fitted aquarium cover is essential, including around plumbing and equipment openings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo deep sand bed required:\u003c\/strong\u003e This fairy wrasse normally sleeps and shelters within rockwork rather than burying itself in the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMale display behavior:\u003c\/strong\u003e Coloration can intensify dramatically when mature males display toward females or other fairy wrasses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequent feeding preferred:\u003c\/strong\u003e Multiple smaller meals of planktonic and protein-rich marine foods help maintain strong body condition and coloration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"TSA Fish","offers":[{"title":"S","offer_id":52414678106410,"sku":"WRASSExExqAfS","price":110.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"SM","offer_id":52414678139178,"sku":"WRASSExExqAfSM","price":125.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"M","offer_id":52414678171946,"sku":"WRASSExExqAfM","price":161.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"ML","offer_id":52414678204714,"sku":"WRASSExExqAfML","price":164.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"L","offer_id":52414678237482,"sku":"WRASSExExqAfL","price":191.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"XL","offer_id":52414678270250,"sku":"WRASSExExqAfX","price":209.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/AfricanExquisiteWrasse1_e6a4a36c-d5d3-4040-a3ba-66b2990a30bc.png?v=1787933973","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/exquisite-wrasse-africa","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}