Female Blackfin Fairy Wrasse - Medium

The specific epithet "melanomarginatus" means "black margin," and it is frequently seen translated on the dorsal fin's edges. The base colouration is green, with a splash of red/orange on the anal fin. The sinuous scrawling on the dorsal fin is very visible and is most prominent in this species.

Females are darker than the males, sometimes with a grey tint. They are peaceful, temperate fish that should be kept alone, in pairs or multiple females with or without a single male. This is because two males are likely to fight.

Fully mature terminal males of this species also has an unusual skin flap on its nape, just before the beginning of its dorsal fin. This skin flap, like the dorsal fin, can be erected during courtship displays.

Blackfin Fairy Wrasses, like other Wrasses, swim with their pectoral fins. However, these fish have a couple of other interesting adaptations. The first feature is their eyes. If you look closely, you can see that they have a "double pupil." In reality, the cornea is divided into two sections. This acts as a one-of-a-kind close-up lens, allowing the fairy wrasse to magnify their vision. It's a necessary adaptation when you eat small prey.

These fish are typically found at depths ranging from 10 to 132 feet (3 to 40 m). They are most commonly found in the fore reef areas of outer reefs. They will also live on reefs in sheltered lagoons, but they are more commonly found on the outer reefs. Juveniles can be found on rubble substrates near seabeds. In the wild, they live in small groups dominated by females and juveniles, with a second male.

Fairy Wrasse can be found throughout the Indo-Pacific region. They prefer sandy and rocky reef environments.

Tank Recommendations for Blackfin Fairy Wrasse

Fairy wrasses can thrive in home aquariums. The aquarium canopy must, first and foremost, be completely enclosed. Fairy wrasses are skilled jumpers, and any uncovered aquarium is not suitable for housing one. When they are in the wild, they do not jump out of the water, but this is because they normally have ten feet or more of water between them and the air. They do not have this luxury in the home aquarium.

All fairy wrasses are small, but they are very active fish. A 208 litre tank the smallest we recommend for a single species of fairy wrasse. The fish may not mix well if the aquarium is too small, so they should be separated. Several species of fairy wrasses can be safely mixed in aquariums of 1135 litres or larger. Never keep two males of the same species in the same tank as a general rule. The tank should have a lot of live rock and plenty of hiding places. Wrasses want to be able to get away from their tankmates.

Suitable Tank Buddies

Black Fin Fairy Wrasses are usually peaceful fish that should get along with the majority of the other fish, coral, and inverts in your tank. This makes the Black Fin Fairy Wrasse an excellent addition to your reef tank.

Mixing different fairy wrasses is possible, but it is best done in a larger aquarium, as previously mentioned.

Usually Compatible

Most fish get along well with Fairy Wrasses. They rarely attack other fish directly. Small wrasses added after the larger Fairy Wrasse is well established are usually compatible, as are Damselfish, Angelfish (large) and Boxfish.

Sometime Compatible

Active fish, such as surgeonfish or large Angelfish, are likely to startle a fairy wrasse when darting across the aquarium. This can result in them trying to jump out of the tank. Butterflyfish, Parrotfish, Clownfish Eels, and Groupers are usually suitable tankmates, but should be monitored.

Rarely Compatible

Fairy Wrasses are also active feeders, so while they should not bother other passive inhabitants. It is possible that they will outcompete them for food, making it rarely compatible with Crustaceans, Seahorses, or Pipefish. Predetory fish like sharks should not be housed with them as they are likely to eat them.

Feeding your Blackfin Fairy Wrasse

Blackfin Fairy Wrasse are carnivorous, eating small crustaceans such as copepods and amphipods in the wild. They have a fast metabolism and must be fed frequently during the day. It is best to feed small amounts several times throughout the day. To ensure proper growth and health, young specimens should be fed at least three times per day, and adults at least twice per day. Feeding several times per day will help maintain the natural copepod population in your tank, or you can add copepods every six weeks.

The Blackfin Fairy Wrasse, like all members of the Cirrhilabrus genera, are planktivores, meaning they have evolved in the wild to feed and survive primarily on plankton. In the aquarium they will eat a lot of meaty foods. Begin with brine shrimp, either live or frozen, and then add other protein foods like mysis, shaved shrimp, and fish flesh. Feed live and frozen foods such as squid, shrimp (the same kind that people eat), mussels, and various types of chopped up fish. They adore fresh, uncoloured, raw salmon. Pro-salt marine is a good commercial formula for wrasses. Flake and pelleted food can also be provided on occasion. Presoaking pelleted food removes any possibility of air. They will also feed on the copepods that live in your live rock.