Common name: Dotted wrasse

General information

The Punctatus Fairy Wrasse, Cirrhilabrus punctatus, is a vibrant and active fish that adds both color and dynamism to a saltwater aquarium. Known for their striking coloration, males exhibit a variety of hues including blues, reds, and purples, often with a pattern of spots or stripes that can change with mood and hierarchy. Females and juveniles tend to have more subdued coloration.

Care

Punctatus Fairy Wrasses are relatively hardy and adaptable to aquarium life, but they do best in well-established tanks with plenty of live rock for hiding and foraging. They are peaceful fish that can be kept with a variety of tank mates, but they should not be housed with aggressive species that may bully or outcompete them for food. A varied diet of small meaty foods, such as mysis shrimp and brine shrimp, will help maintain their vibrant colors and overall health.

Reproduction

In the aquarium, Punctatus Fairy Wrasses may display courtship behavior, but breeding success is rare. In the wild, they are known to form harems with a dominant male and several females. If the dominant male is lost, the largest female may change sex to take on the male role, a process known as protogyny.

Habitat

Punctatus Fairy Wrasses are found in the Western Pacific, from the Philippines to northern Australia. They inhabit coral-rich areas of lagoons and seaward reefs, typically at depths ranging from 5 to 30 meters. They are often observed darting in and out of coral branches in search of food or evading predators.