Hooded (Male) Fairy Wrasse (South Pacific)

Wrasses are prone to jumping from the aquarium when startled or excited so we recommend a secure lid. They feel most secure when there is plenty of live rock to hide in, as well as open space for swimming. Most species may be kept in pairs or harems as long as they are added together or females first. They do not appreciate living with other species of wrasse, so any aquarium with several species must be large enough and the most peaceful species added first.

They should be fed two to three times a day plenty of high quality meaty items, frozen Mysis shrimp, krill, chopped seafood, marine algae and Spirulina.

Fairy wrasses are easy to keep and have active personalities. They are safe with most invertebrates except small shrimp and crabs. They do not bother corals or anemones. They may bully smaller fish such as flasher wrasses, however most are not big enough to live with large or very aggressive fish, either. Most species can be kept together in systems at least 100 gallons, with the most peaceful species added first.

At night time fairy wrasses hide in the rockwork and wrap themselves in a mucus cocoon to hide their scent from predators. This cocoon may be visible in the morning, and will soon dissipate into the water, and a new cocoon created each night.

The rare and spectacular Hooded fairy wrasse makes an incredible show piece animal. Males have a distinctive bright scarlet hood over their face and shoulders. Their bodies and fins are awash in vibrant colors which may vary depending on its origins. Some fish have their dorsal and caudal fins edged in velvety black and lavender, while others have red dorsal and caudal fin and golden flanks. Females are rose to tangerine with yellow bellies. Once it establishes a territory in the aquarium it may become aggressive towards newly introduced fairy wrasses, but this is usually harmless display. It grows to 3.5 inches and needs an aquarium of at least 50 gallons.