Lanceolate Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus) Care Guide
Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus is a fairy wrasse from Japan and the Philippines, with males bearing lance-like caudal extensions.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus is a fairy wrasse of the family Labridae. According to FishBase it occurs in the Western Pacific around Japan and the Philippines (and has been photographed from Palau) and reaches about 8.8 cm standard length. Males are larger and more colourful than females (Wikipedia).
Taxonomy
- Family: Labridae
- Genus: Cirrhilabrus
- Scientific name: Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus
Habitat
FishBase records this species from Japan and the Philippines. It is reef-associated and occurs along steep seaward reefs at depths of about 42-60 m in subtropical waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Lifespan: 4-8 years
- Substrate: sand
Diet
Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus is a carnivore; FishBase lists a trophic level of 3.4. As with other fairy wrasses it takes small meaty foods, fed about twice daily according to the maintained care record.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, middle-water wrasse considered reef-safe. Suitable companions include clownfish, tangs, anthias and gobies, while aggressive damsels and triggerfish are best avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2009).
Breeding the Lanceolate Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus)
Overview
Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus (Randall & Masuda, 1991) is a Western Pacific fairy wrasse recorded from Japan and the Philippines, and photographed from Palau, inhabiting steep seaward reefs in subtropical waters. It is a deep-dwelling species found at depths of 42 to 60 m and reaches about 8.8 cm standard length. As a member of the genus it is a protogynous planktivore whose reproduction follows the fairy-wrasse pattern.
Sexing
Like all Cirrhilabrus, this species begins life as females, and the dominant individual of a group changes into a functional male. The resulting terminal male is the largest, brightest fish, carrying the elongated fins characteristic of mature genus males, while females stay smaller and plainer. Identifying the male therefore rests on size and these developed display characters rather than fixed sexual traits.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
FishBase records distinct pairing during breeding for C. lanceolatus. In keeping with the genus, a male intensifies its colours and performs a brief 'flashing' display, transiently revealing metallic blue or violet markings hidden at rest, to advertise spawning readiness and deter rivals. A receptive female then joins the male in a short paired ascent into open water where buoyant eggs and sperm are released; the species' deep, steep-reef habitat means these events occur well below normal observation depth.
Egg & Fry Care
As a broadcast spawner, C. lanceolatus produces small buoyant eggs that hatch into planktonic larvae, with no nest or parental care. The larvae feed and drift in open water during a prolonged pelagic phase that home aquaria cannot reproduce. Captive breeding of this deep-water species has not been documented.
Common Challenges
Two obstacles combine: the species is a deep, steep-reef fish that is uncommon in the trade, and like all fairy wrasses its planktonic larvae cannot be reared in home systems. Conditioning adults must therefore account for their deep origin and zooplankton-based diet within a spacious aquarium.