Lubbocks Fairy Wrasse - Cirrhilabrus lubbocki

Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lubbocki)

Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse, Cirrhilabrus lubbocki, is a small, colourful and active reef-safe wrasse from the Western Central Pacific. Also known as the Multicolour Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse, Tricolour Fairy Wrasse or Lubbock’s Wrasse, this species is admired for its variable pink, red, purple, yellow and blue colouration, especially in mature males. It is generally peaceful, lively and well suited to mature reef aquariums, provided it has a secure lid, regular feeding and suitable tank mates.

Common Name:
Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse, Lubbock’s Wrasse, Multicolour Lubbock’s Fairy Wrasse, Multicolor Fairy Wrasse, Tricolour Fairy Wrasse, Tricolor Fairy Wrasse.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Cirrhilabrus lubbocki

Maximum Size:
Up to around 8 cm.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Western Central Pacific, especially the Philippines and Indonesia, including the Celebes region. Naturally found on outer reefs over coral rubble, small branching coral heads and reef slopes, often in moderately large groups at depths of around 20–25 m, with wider depth records from shallow reef zones down to around 45 m.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025

Temperament:
Peaceful to mildly assertive. It is usually suitable for reef communities, but males may display towards other fairy wrasses, flasher wrasses or similarly shaped fish. Avoid aggressive tank mates that may bully it, and take care when mixing multiple wrasses in smaller aquariums.

Diet:
Planktivorous carnivore. In the wild, it feeds on zooplankton above the reef. In the aquarium, offer frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, copepods, cyclops, calanus, finely chopped krill, quality marine pellets and other small meaty foods. Small regular feeds help maintain colour, body condition and active behaviour.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 200 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred if keeping multiple wrasses or a busy reef community. Provide open swimming room as well as mature rockwork with caves and crevices.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active daytime swimmer that spends much of its time moving through the water column above rockwork and reef structure. Males may intensify their colours and display to females or rival wrasses. Unlike sand-burying wrasses, fairy wrasses usually shelter and sleep within rockwork rather than burying in the substrate. A tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is essential, as this species can jump when startled.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
Safe with corals and most ornamental invertebrates. It does not nip coral tissue and is well suited to peaceful reef aquariums. Very tiny planktonic crustaceans may be eaten as part of its natural diet, but it is generally compatible with snails, hermit crabs, cleaner shrimps and typical reef invertebrates.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
A secure lid is essential. Provide stable water quality, open swimming space, good oxygenation and rockwork retreats. If mixing with other fairy or flasher wrasses, introduce carefully and avoid keeping very similar males together unless the aquarium is large with multiple territory breaks. Colouration is naturally variable, and males are usually brighter than females. Avoid copper-based treatments in reef aquariums containing invertebrates.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Common in trade

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.