Ruby Fin Fairy Wrasse - Cirrhilabrus Rubripinnis

Ruby Fin Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubripinnis)

The Ruby Fin Fairy Wrasse, Cirrhilabrus rubripinnis, is a colourful and active reef-safe wrasse with warm red-orange body tones, vivid ruby-red fins and fine blue edging that can become especially bright in mature males. Also known as the Redfin Fairy Wrasse or Ruby Finned Fairy Wrasse, this Western Central Pacific species is a lively open-water swimmer for mature reef aquariums. It is coral safe, generally hardy once settled and full of movement, but it needs a secure lid, regular feeding and care when mixing with other fairy wrasses.

Common Name:
Ruby Fin Fairy Wrasse, Ruby Finned Fairy Wrasse, Redfin Fairy Wrasse, Red-fin Fairy Wrasse, Redfin Wrasse.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Cirrhilabrus rubripinnis

Maximum Size:
Up to around 9 cm.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Western Central Pacific, especially Indonesia and the Philippines. Naturally found on coral reefs and reef slopes, often in areas of moderate current down to around 40 m. Like many fairy wrasses, it may occur in loose groups of juveniles and females with a dominant male, feeding above the reef on passing zooplankton.

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

Temperament:
Peaceful to semi-assertive. It is generally suitable for reef communities, but mature males can become boisterous and may show aggression towards other fairy wrasses, flasher wrasses or small wrasses introduced after them. Avoid aggressive predators as well as very timid planktivores that may be outcompeted.

Diet:
Planktivorous carnivore. In the aquarium, offer frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, copepods, cyclops, calanus, finely chopped krill, quality marine pellets and other small meaty marine foods. Small regular feeds help maintain body condition, activity and strong colour.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 250 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred if keeping other wrasses or a mixed active 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 colour and display towards 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 is an expert jumper when startled.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
Safe with corals and most ornamental invertebrates. It does not nip coral tissue and is well suited to reef aquariums with suitable tank mates. 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, good oxygenation, open swimming space and plenty of rockwork retreats. If keeping a group, choose one male with females and introduce the group carefully; avoid multiple males unless the aquarium is very large. Colouration varies by sex, maturity and display mood, with males showing the strongest red fin colour. Avoid adding it after highly territorial wrasses in smaller aquariums.

Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Occasional 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.