{"product_id":"orange-back-fairy-wrasse","title":"Orange Back Fairy Wrasse | Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Orange Back Fairy Wrasse is a vivid, peaceful wrasse with a bright orange dorsal region flowing into a green-and-purple body, always on the move in the upper water column. It is an easy-going, reef-safe fish that brings colour and constant activity to a mixed reef. Adults reach around 10 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis is endemic to northern Sulawesi in Indonesia, especially the Lembeh Strait and Tomini Bay, where it lives in aggregations over reef slopes and rubble at depths of around 10–25 m, feeding on drifting zooplankton. In the aquarium it appreciates plenty of live rock for shelter, a sandy substrate and open water above the reef for swimming, within a stable reef system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMales carry a brilliant orange back and head that blends into a green-and-blue body with purple highlights, colours that intensify during display. Females and juveniles are more subdued in orange-pink tones. The body is slender and built for constant swimming. Healthy specimens are alert, full-bodied and quick to feed, with clear eyes and intact fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is peaceful. The Orange Back Fairy Wrasse is a well-mannered community fish that ignores corals and invertebrates and rarely troubles other fish. Males can display and squabble with other fairy wrasses, so keep one male per tank unless the aquarium is large. It is an excellent choice for a peaceful, mixed reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species is a carnivore and planktivore. Offer a varied diet of mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood and quality marine pellets and flakes. As a very active swimmer it does best fed small amounts two or three times daily. A mature tank with a healthy pod population helps maintain its colour and condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 300 L for this active swimmer, with 350 L or larger recommended for long-term housing or a harem. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.023–1.025. Moderate reef flow with rockwork and open swimming space suits it best. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as fairy wrasses are accomplished jumpers, especially when first introduced. Stable water and calm tank mates help it settle and colour up.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFairy wrasses are haremic protogynous hermaphrodites, changing from female to male, but they are rarely bred in home aquariums. Spawning is pelagic and the larvae are very difficult to rear. For general keeping, focus on stable conditions, good feeding and a secure lid rather than active breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrange Back Fairy Wrasse\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEndemic to northern Sulawesi, Indonesia (Lembeh and Tomini Bay)\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\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\u003e300 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e350 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore\/planktivore; mysis, enriched brine shrimp, chopped seafood, marine pellets and flakes\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\u003e1.023–1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef aquariums and peaceful community marine systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes; safe with corals and invertebrates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, tangs, cardinalfish, gobies, dartfish, dwarf angelfish, anthias and other peaceful reef fish. A single male with several females makes a beautiful harem in a larger reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with large aggressive fish, aggressive dottybacks or triggers, and other male fairy wrasses in smaller aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234122645795,"sku":null,"price":110.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234122678563,"sku":"AA1987","price":125.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55234122711331,"sku":null,"price":145.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Orange_Back_Fairy_Wrasse_Cirrhilabrus_aurantidorsalis_05dc361d-0ad8-4fe0-862d-2437080de8ed.jpg?v=1781681628","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/orange-back-fairy-wrasse","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}