Yellow-Banded Fairy Wrasse Care Guide
Cirrhilabrus luteovittatus, the yellowband wrasse, is a zooplankton-feeding labrid from the central Pacific kept in reef aquaria.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Cirrhilabrus luteovittatus, the yellowband wrasse, is a species of wrasse in the family Labridae, described by Randall in 1988. In its initial phase the body is orange-red, becoming nearly white ventrally. It is a reef-associated marine fish kept in the marine aquarium hobby.
Taxonomy
- Family: Labridae
- Genus: Cirrhilabrus
- Scientific name: Cirrhilabrus luteovittatus
- Author: Randall, 1988
Habitat
The species is native to coral reefs of the central Pacific, recorded from Pohnpei, the Caroline Islands and the Marshall Islands, with strays occasionally reaching Johnston Atoll. It occurs in small groups over lagoon patch reefs at depths of about 7 to 30 m. Recorded ambient temperatures average around 28.9 °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: 10-12 cm (FishBase max length 12 cm TL)
- Lifespan: 4-8 years
Diet
FishBase reports that the species feeds on zooplankton in the water column, consistent with a carnivorous diet at a trophic level of around 3.4. In captivity it should receive frequent small meaty feeds such as enriched brine shrimp and mysis.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful, diurnal, mid-water swimmer that is reef-safe. Suitable companions include clownfish, tangs, anthias and gobies, while aggressive damselfishes and triggerfishes should be avoided. As a wrasse it can jump, so the aquarium should be securely covered.
Breeding
FishBase notes distinct pairing during breeding. Like other fairy wrasses it is a protogynous hermaphrodite. Captive breeding is regarded as expert-level and rarely achieved.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
Breeding the Yellow-Banded Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus luteovittatus)
Overview
Cirrhilabrus luteovittatus (Randall, 1988) inhabits reefs across several Micronesian island groups, including the Caroline Islands, the Marshall Islands and Pohnpei, at depths of 7 to 30 m, and reaches about 12 cm total length. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern. Its reproduction reflects the shared fairy-wrasse traits of protogyny, harem structure and pelagic spawning.
Sexing
C. luteovittatus is a protogynous hermaphrodite: all individuals start as females and the dominant fish of a social group transforms into a functional male. The terminal male grows largest and develops the more vivid coloration and elongated fins typical of the genus, while subordinate females remain smaller and less colourful. Sex is governed by social rank within the harem rather than fixed from birth.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The species follows the fairy-wrasse courtship pattern in which a dominant male displays to a group of females. Males flash to challenge rival males and to attract females before spawning, briefly switching on metallic blue or violet patches that disappear at rest; the display works as a visual billboard of male identity and readiness. Spawning is a brief paired ascent into open water where buoyant eggs and sperm are released together.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs are small and buoyant, broadcast into open water rather than attached, and hatch into planktonic larvae that drift and feed during a prolonged pelagic phase with no parental care. Rearing these larvae is not feasible in home aquaria, and captive breeding of the yellow-banded fairy wrasse has not been documented.
Common Challenges
As with the rest of the genus, the bottleneck is the planktonic larval phase rather than getting adults to spawn. Supporting natural behaviour calls for a large system with open swimming room and a diet of small zooplankton-type foods, but this still leaves the larvae unrearable outside specialised facilities.