Cirrhilabrus scottorum

Randall & Pyle, 1989

Scott's Fairy Wrasse

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Pitcairn Group to the Great Barrier Reef.

Size: 5 inches (12 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits protected outer and inner reefs and lagoon areas and usually found at depths between 10 – 130 feet (3– 40 m) where it feeds on zooplankton.

General Husbandry: Common in the trade with the males sometimes having a red patch on the flanks, yet usually an overall greenish blue, reddish dorsal edged in black, reddish anal fin and red on the trailing portion of the tail. Females are more a subdued maroon color with some black edging on the dorsal and anal fins. Males are more colorful if a female is in the aquarium.

Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums that should have ample crevices and caves, and peaceful tankmates.

As to diet, will eat most regular aquarium foods, e.g., finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc., and should be offered two to three times daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Labroidei

Family: Labridae

Genus: Cirrhilabrus

FYI: Those in this genus may hide for several days when first introduced, and are also good jumpers, therefore covered aquariums, possibly with eggcrate, are necessary to prevent them from jumping out of the aquarium.

They don't bury themselves in the sand at night, as do many other wrasses. Instead, they may form a mucus cocoon similar to some parrotfishes and/or wedge themselves into a rock crevice. It should be noted the cocoon remnants do not seem to harm water quality or other aquarium inhabitants.

Experience Level: Beginner

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 60 gallons

Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5