{"product_id":"katherine-wrasse","title":"Katherine Wrasse | Cirrhilabrus katherinae","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Katherine Wrasse is a stunning fairy wrasse with flowing fins and shifting colours that light up under good aquarium lighting. Peaceful, active and reef safe, it is one of the most rewarding wrasses for a community reef. It stays small at around 10 cm and, unlike many wrasses, is a genuine asset in a mixed reef, hovering and flitting through the water column all day.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species is found in the Western Pacific, particularly around Micronesia, on outer reef slopes and rubble zones where fairy wrasses gather in loose aggregations to feed on drifting plankton. It shelters among the rocks at night. In the aquarium it appreciates plenty of live rock with open swimming space above it, moderate flow and a settled, well-established system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMales are the more colourful sex, showing reds, oranges, pinks and blues that intensify during display, while females are more subtly coloured. The body is slender and elegant with the delicate fins typical of Cirrhilabrus wrasses. Healthy specimens are alert, swimming actively in open water, with good body condition, clear eyes and undamaged fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Katherine Wrasse is peaceful and mixes beautifully with other calm reef fish, including other fairy wrasses provided they are added together or the tank is large. It will not harm corals or ornamental invertebrates, making it a true reef-safe choice. It can be shy at first, so a peaceful community and secure aquascape help it settle and colour up.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a planktivore that feeds on tiny drifting foods. Offer frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods and other small meaty foods, along with quality marine flake and small pellets. Feed two to three times daily. Regular feeding keeps males in strong colour and all individuals in good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of 190 L, with larger recommended if keeping a group. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as fairy wrasses are accomplished jumpers. Provide plenty of live rock, moderate flow and stable water quality. This is one of the easier wrasses, though a covered, settled tank is important.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Katherine Wrasse is not routinely bred in home aquariums. Like other fairy wrasses it is a protogynous hermaphrodite, with dominant males developing from females, and it spawns by releasing pelagic eggs. Rearing the planktonic larvae is beyond typical hobby conditions, so the aim is a healthy, well-coloured display fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCirrhilabrus katherinae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKatherine's Fairy Wrasse\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWestern Pacific (Micronesia) reef slopes and rubble zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e190 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanktivore; frozen mysis, brine, copepods, flake and small pellets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful reef and community marine aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other fairy wrasses, gobies, firefish, cardinalfish, anthias, dwarf angels, clownfish and other peaceful reef fish, along with corals and ornamental invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with aggressive or territorial fish, large predators, and much larger, boisterous wrasses that may bully it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234119827747,"sku":"AA3255-S","price":215.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234119860515,"sku":"AA3255","price":245.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/katherine-wrasse-43090661703971.webp?v=1790305589","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/katherine-wrasse","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}