Clown Fairy Wrasse

The Clown Fairy Wrasse, *Cirrhilabrus solorensis*, is a vibrant and active addition to the reef aquarium. Hailing from the Indo-Pacific region, this species displays a stunning array of colors, typically featuring shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple, often with intricate patterns and markings that vary between individuals and sexes. Males are generally more brightly colored, especially during courtship displays.

An intermediate level of care is recommended for the Clown Fairy Wrasse. A minimum tank size of 50 gallons is suitable for a single specimen, providing ample swimming space and plenty of live rock for hiding and foraging. They are generally peaceful towards other fish, but males can be territorial with other wrasses, especially those of similar size and coloration. It is best to introduce them to the aquarium before more aggressive species.

In the aquarium, the Clown Fairy Wrasse will readily consume a varied diet of high-quality marine flake food, pellet food, frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and other meaty foods. Offering multiple small feedings throughout the day is beneficial. They are known to be jumpers, so a tight-fitting lid is essential to prevent escapes. They typically reach a maximum size of around 4-5 inches in captivity.