About Exquisite Wrasse
A fairy wrasse with stunning courtship coloration when males display. Active mid-water swimmer that adds constant motion. Like most fairy wrasses, it benefits from a tight-fitting lid — they're enthusiastic jumpers.
The exquisite wrasse is a species of ray-finned fish from the family Labridae, the wrasses, which is native to reefs in the Indo-West Pacific region. It can be found in the aquarium trade.
Notes from the editors
What it looks like. Slender fairy wrasse. Males show vivid red-orange and blue-green flank coloration with extended dorsal fins; females are more uniformly pinkish-red. Males display dramatically during courtship.
In your tank. Active mid-water swimmer. Peaceful with most tankmates but aggressive toward other fairy wrasses unless introduced as an established pair or harem (1 male + 2+ females). Jumper — a tight-fitting lid is non-negotiable.
Care notes. Adult males display only when females are present. For full color, plan to keep a harem or accept duller male coloration. Reef-safe.
Sourcing and feeding. Wild-collected from Indo-Pacific reefs; widely available ($60–150 depending on size and color). Carnivore — frozen mysis, brine, small pellets, multiple feedings per day.
Care info is a starting point, not a guarantee. Individual specimens, water chemistry, and tankmate dynamics vary. Verify against multiple sources and adjust to what you observe. See our terms & disclaimers.
Related fish
Sources & attribution
- Taxonomy and accepted name from the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS AphiaID 218954).
- Description content adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Photo: User:Izuzuki · CC BY 4.0 (via iNaturalist or Wikimedia Commons).