{"product_id":"purple-velvet-fairy-wrasse-female","title":"Purple Velvet Fairy Wrasse - Female","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe female Purple Velvet Fairy Wrasse, \u003cem\u003eCirrhilabrus luteovittatus\u003c\/em\u003e, is an elegant saltwater fish with more understated coloration than the dramatic terminal-phase male. Females and initial-phase individuals typically display warm orange-red to olive and purplish tones that become noticeably paler along the underside, often accompanied by fine reddish spotting across the upper body. As with other fairy wrasses, coloration can change significantly with maturity and social status, and a female may eventually transition into a male.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the central-western Pacific, particularly the Marshall and Caroline Islands, this species inhabits lagoon patch reefs and coral-and-rubble environments where small groups swim above the reef feeding on zooplankton. Its manageable adult size, active swimming behavior, attractive coloration, and excellent compatibility with corals make the Purple Velvet Fairy Wrasse a desirable marine aquarium fish for established reef aquariums and peaceful fish-only systems.\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 55 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 Marshall Islands and Caroline Islands, Central-Western Pacific\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eCirrhilabrus luteovittatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTank Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Purple Velvet Fairy Wrasse should be maintained in an established marine aquarium with ample open swimming room and substantial rockwork for security. Adults can reach approximately 4.5–5 inches, and a 55-gallon or larger aquarium provides suitable long-term space for this active species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArrange live rock to create caves, overhangs, and narrow crevices where the wrasse can retreat when frightened and rest at night. Unlike sand-burying wrasses, \u003cem\u003eCirrhilabrus\u003c\/em\u003e species normally 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. Areas of subdued lighting or shaded rockwork are also beneficial and provide secure retreats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA tightly fitted mesh or solid aquarium cover is essential. Fairy wrasses are accomplished 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 Purple Velvet Fairy Wrasse is primarily a planktivore that naturally feeds on zooplankton 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. Small 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. An established reef aquarium 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 female Purple Velvet Fairy Wrasse is generally peaceful toward unrelated marine fish and works well in a community-oriented reef aquarium. Suitable tankmates include clownfish, gobies, blennies, cardinalfish, anthias, peaceful tangs, flasher wrasses, and compatible fairy wrasses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTerritorial behavior can occur among members of the same species or closely related fairy wrasses, particularly as individuals mature. In larger aquariums, a male may be maintained with females when adequate swimming space and shelter are available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike other \u003cem\u003eCirrhilabrus\u003c\/em\u003e species, this wrasse is a protogynous hermaphrodite. A female may transition into a male depending on the social structure of the aquarium.\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 Purple Velvet 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 primarily on tiny planktonic organisms suspended above the reef rather than larger benthic invertebrates. Naturally occurring copepods and other microcrustaceans may be consumed as part of normal feeding behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts combination of peaceful temperament and excellent coral compatibility makes it especially 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 good 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\u003eFemale coloration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Females are more subdued than mature males, typically showing orange-red, olive, or purplish coloration with a paler underside and fine body spotting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSex change possible:\u003c\/strong\u003e Females may transition into males depending on social conditions within the aquarium.\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\u003eFrequent feeding preferred:\u003c\/strong\u003e Multiple smaller meals of planktonic and protein-rich marine foods help maintain healthy body condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"TSA Fish","offers":[{"title":"S","offer_id":52414676271402,"sku":"WRASSExPurVelFS","price":134.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"SM","offer_id":52414676304170,"sku":"WRASSExPurVelFSM","price":149.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"M","offer_id":52414676336938,"sku":"WRASSExPurVelFM","price":164.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"ML","offer_id":52414676369706,"sku":"WRASSExPurVelFML","price":179.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"L","offer_id":52414676402474,"sku":"WRASSExPurVelFL","price":209.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/PurpleVelvetWrasseF_34211434-51dd-4945-87a6-aec438607056.png?v=1787943634","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/purple-velvet-fairy-wrasse-female","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}