Ruby Head Fairy Wrasse - Cirrhilabrus chaliasi

Ruby Head Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus chaliasi)

The Ruby Head Fairy Wrasse, Cirrhilabrus chaliasi, is a colourful and elegant marine wrasse with a deep ruby-red head, greenish to yellow-brown body tones and attractive blue to purple shading along the flanks. Also known as the Ruby-headed Fairy Wrasse or Chalias’ Fairy Wrasse, this Indonesian species is a relatively uncommon member of the fairy wrasse group and makes a superb display fish for peaceful reef aquariums. It is active, reef safe and full of movement, but it needs a mature, covered aquarium with calm tank mates and regular feeding.

Common Name:
Ruby Head Fairy Wrasse, Ruby-headed Fairy Wrasse, Chalias’ Fairy Wrasse, Dull-head Fairy Wrasse.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Cirrhilabrus chaliasi

Maximum Size:
Up to around 6.5 cm standard length for males, with females smaller at around 4.6 cm standard length. In aquarium terms, expect a small to medium fairy wrasse of roughly 7–8 cm total length.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Indo-West Pacific, currently known from Indonesia. Naturally found in rubble zones with scattered coral cover at depths of around 8–20 m. It is associated with reef slopes and mixed rubble-coral habitats where it can retreat into crevices and feed on passing plankton in the water column.

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 generally suitable for calm reef communities, but males may show territorial or display behaviour towards other fairy wrasses, flasher wrasses or similar-shaped species, especially in smaller aquariums. Avoid aggressive fish that may intimidate it or prevent it from feeding.

Diet:
Planktivorous carnivore. In the aquarium, offer frequent small feeds of frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, copepods, cyclops, finely chopped krill, calanus, quality marine pellets and other small meaty marine foods. A varied diet helps maintain colour, condition and activity.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 200 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred if keeping more than one fairy wrasse or a mixed wrasse community. Provide open swimming space as well as secure rockwork and sleeping retreats.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active daytime swimmer that spends much of its time moving through the water column above rockwork and reef structure. Like other fairy wrasses, males may flash and intensify their colours when displaying. It does not bury in sand like some wrasse groups, but instead uses rock crevices and protected areas for shelter and sleeping. A tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is essential, as fairy wrasses are strong jumpers when startled.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
Safe with corals and most ornamental invertebrates. It does not nip corals 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. Keep with peaceful to moderately active tank mates and avoid highly aggressive wrasses, large dottybacks, predatory hawkfish or bullying damsels. If mixing with other fairy wrasses, introduce carefully and avoid very similar males unless the aquarium is large with plenty of visual barriers. This species has been confused in the past with members of the Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura group, so exact colouration and collection origin may help with identification.

Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Rare or 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.