Red Faced Fairy Wrasse - Medium

The Red-Faced Fairy Wrasse is a combination of striking colours. The male has a dark band running along the body below the dorsal fin. Its midbody is turquoise, and its belly is white. Its face is yellow or light orange, which blends into the orange or red head. A red line travels from the head along the top front half of the dorsal fin. The rest of the fins are translucent with bluish-black colouration at the base. The blue/black colour is also present over the gills. These colours can vary, but all specimens will have red eyes. Females differ, with a reddish-orange body and red head. There is also a red tinge on their fins. Some females may have a colour that is like the male except it is duller.

The Red-Faced Fairy Wrasse is a hermaphroditic fish. There are no confirmed reports of captive breeding and rearing.

This is an Indo-Pacific species, originating from Indonesia. It inhabits coastal lagoons and reefs, amongst areas of rubble and coral. These are usually shallow areas, within depths of 20 metres.

Tank Recommendations for the Red-Faced Fairy Wrasse

A suitable tank should be at least 55 gallons (208.2 litres).

The Red-Faced Fairy Wrasse can be kept in a reef or fish only tank without any issues. It doesn't pose a threat to corals, shrimps, or invertebrates. This species will enjoy exploring rock work and navigating swim-throughs. Caves and crevices should also be available for them to hide in.

A secure lid is recommended to prevent jumping from the tank. The Red-Faced Fairy Wrasse can cope with most types of water movement. But it will need an area with a slow flow for feeding.

Suitable Tank Buddies

The Red-Faced Fairy Wrasse is a peaceful fish. It can cohabit with a wide variety of species including some Fairy Wrasse.

They can be kept as a pair, or in a group consisting of a male and four or more females.

Usually Compatible

Peaceful species such as Assessors, Gobies and other Fairy Wrasses should be fine. Small semi-aggressive fish are also suitable. Examples include Clownfish, Dwarf Angelfish, and Anthias.

Sometime Compatible

Conspecifics can cohabit in pairs or as a group consisting of a male and four or more females. Groups of males won't tolerate each other.

Rarely Compatible

Avoid large semi-aggressive species such as Wrasses, Angelfish, and Tangs. There will also be issues with Damselfish, Dottybacks, and large Wrasse. Large aggressive predators such as Groupers and Eels may swallow your Fairy Wrasse. Slow movers such as Seahorses and Pipefish will be outcompeted for food.

Feeding your Red-Faced Fairy Wrasse

The Red-Faced Fairy Wrasse is a carnivore. A suitable diet should include brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, fish, squid, and mussels. They will also consume copepods in live rock and can occasionally be fed flake food and pellets. Juveniles need to be fed three times per day, adults twice per day.