Pink-Banded Fairy Wrasse Care Guide
Cirrhilabrus roseafascia, the pink-banded fairy wrasse, is a deeper-water reef labrid first recorded from New Caledonia.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Cirrhilabrus roseafascia, the pink-banded fairy wrasse, is a species of wrasse in the family Labridae, described by Randall and Lubbock in 1982. It is a reef-associated marine fish that occurs deeper than many of its relatives and enters the aquarium trade.
Taxonomy
- Family: Labridae
- Genus: Cirrhilabrus
- Scientific name: Cirrhilabrus roseafascia
- Authors: Randall & Lubbock, 1982
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the western central Pacific at Bulari Pass, New Caledonia. It aggregates on coral reefs or over rocky and rubble bottoms at a depth range of about 30 to 100 m, making it one of the deeper-dwelling fairy wrasses.
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: 12-13 cm (FishBase max length 10 cm TL)
- Lifespan: 4-8 years
Diet
It is a carnivore at a trophic level of around 3.4 according to FishBase. In the aquarium it should be offered small meaty marine foods such as enriched brine shrimp and mysis fed several times a day. Because it originates from deeper water, gradual acclimatisation to aquarium lighting is advisable.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful, diurnal, mid-water wrasse considered reef-safe. Suitable companions include clownfish, tangs, anthias and gobies, while aggressive damselfishes and triggerfishes should be avoided. A secure cover is recommended to prevent jumping.
Breeding
FishBase notes distinct pairing during breeding. The species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, and captive reproduction is regarded as extremely difficult.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
Breeding the Rose-Band Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus roseafascia)
Overview
Cirrhilabrus roseafascia (Randall & Lubbock, 1982) was described from Bulari Pass, New Caledonia, in the Western Central Pacific. It is a deep-water species recorded at depths of 30 to 100 m, aggregating over coral reefs or rocky and rubble bottoms, and reaches about 10 cm total length. As a fairy wrasse it is a protogynous planktivore whose reproduction follows the genus pattern.
Sexing
Like all Cirrhilabrus, this species begins life as females, with the dominant individual of a group changing into a functional male. The terminal male grows larger and develops the brighter coloration and longer fins characteristic of mature fairy wrasse males, while females stay smaller and plainer. Recognising the male therefore depends on size and these developed display features rather than fixed sexual traits.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
FishBase records distinct pairing during breeding for C. roseafascia. Following the genus-wide pattern, a male intensifies its colours and performs a brief 'flashing' display, transiently showing metallic blue or violet patches that are hidden at rest, to advertise spawning readiness and challenge rivals. A receptive female then joins the male in a short paired ascent into open water where eggs and sperm are released; the species' considerable depth places these events well below normal observation range.
Egg & Fry Care
The eggs are small, buoyant and broadcast into open water, hatching into planktonic larvae that drift and feed during a long pelagic phase with no parental care. Rearing such larvae is beyond the means of home aquaria, and this deep-water species is not reported as captive-bred.
Common Challenges
Two factors stack against home breeding: the species naturally lives at considerable depth, and its planktonic larvae require an extended pelagic stage that aquaria cannot reproduce. Keeping adults well demands attention to their deep-reef origin and a zooplankton-based diet delivered in a spacious system.