{"product_id":"polka-dot-fairy-wrasse","title":"Polka Dot Fairy Wrasse | Cirrhilabrus punctatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Polka Dot Fairy Wrasse, also known as the Fine Spotted Fairy Wrasse, is a lively reef-safe wrasse whose males are peppered with fine dark spots over a rich red-to-violet body. Peaceful, active and hardy, it brings constant colour and movement to a mixed reef. It reaches around 13 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCirrhilabrus punctatus occurs across the Western Pacific on rubble slopes and reef edges, where males patrol open water above the reef feeding on drifting plankton. In the aquarium it appreciates live rock for shelter, open swimming space and moderate flow, and males display best where they have room to show off.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMales are dark red to maroon, often washed with green, blue and violet, and covered in the fine \"polka dot\" speckling that gives the fish its name; colours flare dramatically during display. Females and sub-adults are more muted red-orange. It is worth noting this species can fade in captivity without good nutrition, so a varied diet is important to hold its colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and reef safe, it is an ideal community reef fish that will not harm corals. Keep one male per aquarium unless the tank is large, though a male with several females may be housed together. It can be shy around aggressive species, so choose calm tank mates. It is generally safe with corals and larger invertebrates, though very small ornamental shrimp could be at risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivorous planktivore. Offer several small daily feedings of enriched mysis and brine shrimp, copepods, and quality marine flake and pellet. Frequent, varied feeding suits its grazing style and is key to maintaining its vivid colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 285 L with live rock and open swimming space. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.023–1.025. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as fairy wrasses jump readily. Moderate flow and stable water quality keep it in top condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFairy wrasses are pelagic spawners and are not routinely bred in home aquariums; the tiny larvae need specialised rearing. A harem may spawn in a large mature reef, but raising the young is beyond most hobbyists.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCirrhilabrus punctatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePolka Dot Fairy Wrasse (Fine Spotted Fairy Wrasse)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWestern Pacific reefs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13 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\u003e285 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e380 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore\/planktivore; enriched mysis and brine shrimp, copepods, marine flake and pellet\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\u003ePeaceful mixed reef aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe (use caution with very small ornamental shrimp)\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, small tangs, cardinalfish, gobies, dartfish, other peaceful wrasse and calm community reef fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with aggressive or territorial species such as large dottybacks, hawkfish and pugnacious wrasse, and with rival male fairy wrasses in smaller tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234123432227,"sku":null,"price":65.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234123464995,"sku":"AA2001","price":75.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55234123497763,"sku":null,"price":85.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/polka-dot-fairy-wrasse","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}