Top 5 Fairy Wrasse: Who makes the list for you?

[revhtree]

Today let's talk about the Cirrhilabrus species, better known as the fairy wrasse in the hobby! The fairy wrasse is one of the most popular fish because of the great personality they have and of course because they boast some of, if not the BEST, colors of all marine fish! But if we had to pick a top five, and we do today, who would make the list? Let's chat!

1. What is your most favorite fairy wrasse?

2. If you have a favorite fairy wrasse list which ones make the Top 5?

image via Gary L. Parr

 

[ChiCity]

earl’s

 

[Doglips56]

Love them but don’t currently have one. Had a beautiful Solon fairy wrasse and would get another

 

[cdnco2004]

Love my Purple Scale Fairy Wrasse

 

[reaper93]

Following! Looking to add fairy wrasses to my 120g tank.

 

[Fishfreak2009]

Too hard to pick just 1. My favorites include:
Cirrhilabrus pylei
Cirrhilabrus brunneus
Cirrhilabrus rhomboidalis
Cirrhilabrus lineatus
Cirrhilabrus briangreenei

 

[HBtank]

Cirrhilabrus jordani (favorite overall)
Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis (favorite of the more affordable ones)

 

[revhtree]

I haven't owned a great deal of the nice fairies but the Flame Fairy (Cirrhilabrus jordani) is one I have and is one of my favorites! Photos don't do it justice when seen in a tank!

image via @LiveAquaria

 

[Slocke]

No...
Both fairies I had quickly became my favorite fish and then died on me. The first to UNWD the second seemed to be in perfect health and then one morning dead. My only theory is that it jumped into my glass lid too hard.

LFS had several Naokoae and Rebeus today and I really wanted to but thought it was irresponsible to try again.

 

[HBtank]

And yeah, for anyone getting these, cover every square inch of the top. Like every single inch, they WILL find that tiny gap and manage to jump through.

 

[HBtank]

No...
Both fairies I had quickly became my favorite fish and then died on me. The first to UNWD the second seemed to be in perfect health and then one morning dead. My only theory is that it jumped into my glass lid too hard.

LFS had several Naokoae and Rebeus today and I really wanted to but thought it was irresponsible to try again.

Depending on how large it was when you bought it, it may have just died. Some only live 3-5 years.

One reason I am wary of getting them these days, especially terminal males.

 

[SaltyT]

Cirrhilabrus Johnsoni has become my favorite. They're a smaller fairy wrasse, but they have big personality.
Mine is feisty and always flashing. He looks good under blues or white lights.

Here he is being chased by one of my other wrasses lol

 

[HankstankXXXL750]

Exquisite, carpenters, McCoskers, red headed solon, rhomboid

 

[design.maddie]

I am big lover of wrasse. I have the hardest time enjoying the Fairy Wrasse. This past year I spend a bit more time learning about them, trying to find something enjoyable that draws me to them. Yet, I still am just meh. I do like the tanks that seem to replace Anthias with Fairy Wrasse. My tank is nowhere near that large.

 

[revhtree]

Great additions to this TOP 5 thread! Keep them coming!

 

[408Dartfish]

Pintail fairy wrasse, just got one about a month ago from LA. It’s been awesome so friendly, has even got my tail spot blenny be more outgoing.

 

[i cant think]

Today let's talk about the Cirrhilabrus species, better known as the fairy wrasse in the hobby! The fairy wrasse is one of the most popular fish because of the great personality they have and of course because they boast some of, if not the BEST, colors of all marine fish! But if we had to pick a top five, and we do today, who would make the list? Let's chat!

1. What is your most favorite fairy wrasse?

2. If you have a favorite fairy wrasse list which ones make the Top 5?

image via Gary L. Parr
View attachment 2876030

Yes and No, if we go off of one wrasse I will never not own then this is the Cirrhilabrus naokoae. However, there are many I love. My top five would be;
- Cirrhilabrus naokoae
- Cirrhilabrus melanomarginatus
- Cirrhilabrus lubbocki (Both Cebu & Indo Var)
- Cirrhilabrus shutmani
- Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus

Four of these I have owned and 3 I currently own. If we class the two Lubbocki variants as one species then it would be 2 I currently own and 3 I have owned. The fairies I own currently are;
- Cirrhilabrus naokaoe

- Cirrhilabrus lubbocki (Cebu Var)

- Cirrhilabrus lubbocki (Indonesian Var)

And the one I used to own was;
Cirrhilabrus melanomarginatus or “Dumbo”

 

[A Young reefer]

Blue throat fairy. And I am a lucky owner of one, however I did not get the chance to get an image of it when it’s magnificently flashing.
It looks like this:

 

[blazn]

I love my Exquisite fairy (apparently African variety)

 

[maroun.c]

Jordani
Lineatus
Rhomboid
Shutmani
Lanceloatus