Little Shop of Coral
Social Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis)
Social Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis)
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The Social Fairy Wrasse is a beautiful, reef-safe wrasse known for its graceful swimming, vibrant coloration, and generally peaceful temperament. It adds constant movement to the mid-water zone and tends to settle in well when given rockwork for shelter and a calm community. Like other fairy wrasses, it can show stronger coloration and display behaviour when kept with other fairy wrasses or in larger systems.
Why we love it
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Reef-safe wrasse that adds colour and motion without major aggression
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Active mid-water swimmer that stays visible and engaging
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Great choice for peaceful community reefs
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Can show impressive display behaviour in larger wrasse-friendly setups
Care and Compatibility
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Safe: Yes
Diet: Carnivore (planktivore)
Adult Size: ~3 to 4"
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons recommended (larger ideal)
Feeding
Social Fairy Wrasses do best with frequent, varied feedings:
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Frozen mysis and brine shrimp
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Quality frozen reef blends
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Small pellets and flakes once established
Feed once or twice daily, or more often in busy reef tanks where food competition is high.
Tank and Setup Notes
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Provide open swimming space and rockwork for retreat
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Moderate flow and stable parameters help keep coloration strong
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A secure lid is strongly recommended since fairy wrasses are expert jumpers
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Plenty of hiding spots helps reduce stress during introduction
Compatibility Tips
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Excellent with peaceful reef fish like gobies, clownfish, anthias, and chromis
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Can be kept with other fairy wrasses in larger systems if introduced thoughtfully
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Avoid very aggressive tank mates that will keep it hiding or outcompete it at feeding time
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If mixing wrasses, add more peaceful species first and provide multiple sleeping zones
Acclimation and Health
Slow acclimation is recommended. Quarantine is ideal when possible. Once it is eating confidently and has a safe place to retreat, it typically becomes a hardy, active fish in the display.
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LIGHT
LOW: Place coral at the bottom of the tank. Depending on the type, coral may need to be placed off sand and therefore mounted on a ceramic disc of piece of rock.
MEDIUM: Place coral at mid-range of the tank. Best placed/glued on top of a rock scape at mid-range height.
HIGH: Place coral from mid range to just below water level. SPS coral are shallow growing so they require and are able to tolerate intense light.
FLOW
LOW: Most soft coral do well with a small, gentle pulse. There are certain corals that can even be placed in areas of indirect flow, meaning places aside a rock structure or set into a entrance to a cave style space.
MEDIUM: Many LPS types of coral prefer medium pulse current. Most Euphyllia or corals that have more tissue structure connected to their skeleton, don’t like to be in a high flow area like the direct flow of the wave pump.
HIGH: Similar to high light, SPS enjoy being in some heavy current. Most LPS and SPS that branch encrust or plate prefer high flow that simulates the top water waves.
SKILL
ENTRY: While some may say beginner level, "Entry" is a good term to be used when starting out in the world of corals and marine life. Prior to adding livestock, you want to ensure that your reef has the proper parameters including zero levels of ammonia and nitrite. Seeing traces of nitrate in your waters is a good sign - just keep them at a lower level of 2ppm to 10ppm. Maintaining correct temperature and salinity are a huge factor to stable parameters. Starting to monitor your PH, alkalinity, calcium and magnesium is a great habit to get into to keep a successful reef.
While some soft coral don’t require too much light, having a proper reef light that puts out the proper pars is very important. You'll also want to have a good amount of flow and protected rock areas, as placing corals in their happy spot is ideal for success.
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