Lined Fairy Wrasse Care Guide
Cirrhilabrus lineatus, the purplelined wrasse, is a reef-associated labrid from the south-western Pacific kept in marine aquaria.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Cirrhilabrus lineatus, known as the purplelined or lined fairy wrasse, is a species of wrasse in the family Labridae. It was described by Randall and Lubbock in 1982. The trunk is lavender-pink suffused with yellow above and shading to pale yellow or white below, marked with longitudinal rows of purple spots and dashes. It is a reef-associated marine fish entering the aquarium trade.
Taxonomy
- Family: Labridae
- Genus: Cirrhilabrus
- Scientific name: Cirrhilabrus lineatus
- Authors: Randall & Lubbock, 1982
Habitat
The species occurs in the western central Pacific, from New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands to the Great Barrier Reef. It inhabits clear outer reef slopes. FishBase records a depth range of about 1 to 55 m, while Wikipedia notes it on coral reefs at roughly 20 to 55 m. Recorded ambient temperatures average around 26.6 °C.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness: 8-12 °dKH
- Size: 12-14 cm (FishBase max length 12 cm TL)
- Lifespan: 4-8 years
Diet
Like other members of its genus it is a carnivore. FishBase places the species at a trophic level of around 3.4. In the aquarium it should be offered meaty marine foods such as enriched brine shrimp, mysis and finely chopped seafood, fed several times daily.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful, diurnal fish that swims in the middle of the water column and is considered reef-safe. It mixes well with calm marine community fish such as clownfish, tangs, anthias and gobies, and should be kept away from aggressive damselfishes and triggerfishes. As a wrasse it is an accomplished jumper, so a tightly covered aquarium is advised.
Breeding
FishBase describes distinct pairing during breeding. Like most wrasses the species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, with females capable of changing into males, typically when larger males are absent. Captive breeding is regarded as extremely difficult.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is taken by commercial fisheries and for the aquarium trade.
Breeding the Lined Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lineatus)
Overview
Cirrhilabrus lineatus (Randall & Lubbock, 1982), also called the lavender wrasse, is native to the coral reefs of New Caledonia and Australia, where it occurs at depths of 20 to 55 m and reaches about 12 cm total length. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern. It shares the genus-wide biology of zooplankton feeding, harem living and protogyny that governs its reproduction.
Sexing
C. lineatus displays hermaphroditic behaviour in which a female may become a male when biologically favourable, and Wikipedia notes this generally happens when competition from larger males disappears. The terminal male is the largest, most intensely coloured fish, with the longer fins typical of mature fairy wrasse males, while females are smaller and less vivid. Sex is therefore set by social rank rather than fixed at hatching.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Reproduction matches the fairy-wrasse pattern of a dominant male courting a harem of females. The male performs a 'flashing' display, briefly showing metallic blue or violet markings that are not present at rest, both to deter rival males and to attract females ready to spawn. Spawning consists of a short paired ascent into open water during which buoyant eggs and sperm are released together; the species' deeper habitat means this typically occurs below depths most aquarists encounter.
Egg & Fry Care
As a broadcast spawner, C. lineatus produces small buoyant eggs that hatch into planktonic larvae, with no nest building or parental care. The larvae feed and drift in open water through an extended pelagic phase. This life history makes home larval rearing impractical, and captive breeding of the lined fairy wrasse has not been documented.
Common Challenges
The decisive obstacle is the planktonic larval phase, not eliciting a spawn. Because the species comes from deeper reefs, conditioning adults also means accounting for their natural depth and a diet centred on small zooplankton, supplied in a system with ample open swimming space.