Fairy Wrasse (Lubbock's)

Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse is a delightful small fairy wrasse prized for its rich pink to reddish-orange coloration and manageable size. Males display a warm rosy-pink body overlaid with subtle yellow highlights, particularly along the belly and lower flanks, while a distinctive blue streak extends behind the eye. The dorsal fin is edged in blue-violet, and the overall appearance becomes significantly more vivid during courtship displays. Females are somewhat more muted with a pinkish hue and less defined markings, but they remain attractive fish in their own right.

In the wild, Cirrhilabrus lubbocki is found throughout the western Pacific, inhabiting rubble zones and reef slopes at moderate depths. It tends to form small harems with a single dominant male presiding over several females. These groups hover just above the reef substrate, darting out to pick passing zooplankton from the water column. The species is named after the ichthyologist Roger Lubbock, who made significant contributions to the study of labrid fishes.

Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse is one of the most beginner-friendly fairy wrasses available. Its small adult size of around 3 inches makes it suitable for moderate-sized reef aquariums, and its hardy constitution means it adapts quickly to captive conditions. It is completely reef-safe and poses no threat to corals or invertebrates. As with all fairy wrasses, a well-sealed lid is essential to prevent jumping. Provide a varied diet of meaty frozen foods offered multiple times per day for best results.