Pintail Fairy Wrasse

The Pintail Fairy Wrasse, *Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus*, is a stunning and active addition to a reef aquarium. Its common name comes from the distinctive, elongated lobes on its caudal fin, giving it a “pintail” appearance. The coloration is vibrant and variable, often featuring shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple, with intricate patterns that intensify with maturity and during courtship displays.

A minimum tank size of 75 gallons is recommended for the Pintail Fairy Wrasse, providing ample swimming space and rockwork for hiding. They are generally peaceful and can be kept with a variety of other non-aggressive marine fish. While they are reef-safe and will not harm corals or invertebrates, they are known to be jumpers, so a secure lid is essential.

In the aquarium, the Pintail Fairy Wrasse will readily accept a varied diet of high-quality marine flake food, pellet food, frozen mysis shrimp, and enriched brine shrimp. Offering a diverse diet will help maintain their vibrant colors and overall health. They typically reach a maximum size of around 5 inches in captivity. Native to the Indo-Pacific region, they are considered to have an intermediate care level, requiring stable water parameters and a well-established aquarium.