Scott's Fairy Wrasse Care Guide
Cirrhilabrus scottorum is a zooplankton-feeding reef labrid ranging from the Great Barrier Reef to the Pitcairn Group.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Cirrhilabrus scottorum, Scott's fairy wrasse, is a species of wrasse in the family Labridae, described by Randall and Pyle in 1989. The name honours Sir Peter Markham Scott and his wife Philippa for their contribution to nature conservation. The body is green posteriorly, shading through dusky blue-green medially, with the lower fourth light red.
Taxonomy
- Family: Labridae
- Genus: Cirrhilabrus
- Scientific name: Cirrhilabrus scottorum
- Authors: Randall & Pyle, 1989
Habitat
The species occurs in the Pacific Ocean from the Great Barrier Reef to the Pitcairn Group, at depths of about 3 to 40 m. It is more common in outer reef areas than in sheltered lagoon reefs.
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 13 cm TL)
- Lifespan: 4-8 years
Diet
FishBase reports that it is usually seen in small groups feeding a short distance above the bottom on zooplankton; these groups consist mainly of females and juveniles. Courting males swim up to 3 m or more above the bottom with fins fully erect. In the aquarium it should receive frequent small meaty foods such as enriched brine shrimp and mysis.
Compatibility
This peaceful, diurnal, mid-water wrasse is considered reef-safe. It mixes well with clownfish, tangs, anthias and gobies, while aggressive damselfishes and triggerfishes should be avoided. A secure cover is recommended, as the species is an active swimmer prone to 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. The species is taken for commercial fisheries and the aquarium trade.
Breeding Scott's Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus scottorum)
Overview
Cirrhilabrus scottorum (Randall & Pyle, 1989) occurs across the Pacific Ocean at depths of 3 to 40 m on coral reefs, ranging from Australia's Great Barrier Reef to the Pitcairn Islands, and reaches about 13 cm. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern. As a fairy wrasse it combines zooplankton feeding, harem living and protogyny, traits that shape its reproduction.
Sexing
C. scottorum is a protogynous hermaphrodite, so all individuals begin life as females and the dominant fish of a group transforms into a functional male. The terminal male is the largest individual, with the more intense coloration and longer fins typical of mature genus males, while females remain smaller and less vivid. Sex is therefore set by social rank rather than fixed at hatching.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Reproduction follows the fairy-wrasse pattern of a dominant male courting a harem of females. Males flash to challenge rival males and to attract females before spawning, briefly switching on metallic blue or violet patches that vanish at rest; the display acts as a visual signal of male identity and readiness. Open, low-lying substrate lets males swim at speed to show their fins to full effect before a female joins the male in a brief paired ascent that releases buoyant eggs and sperm into open water.
Egg & Fry Care
As a broadcast spawner, C. scottorum sheds small buoyant eggs into open water; these hatch into planktonic larvae that drift and feed during a prolonged pelagic phase with no parental care. Such larvae cannot be reared in home aquaria, and captive breeding of Scott's fairy wrasse has not been documented.
Common Challenges
Even though adults are robust and frequently kept, the planktonic larval phase remains the decisive obstacle to breeding. A large system with open swimming room, moderate flow and small zooplankton-type foods supports natural display behaviour, but it does not make the larvae rearable.