Temmincki Fairy Wrasse: Male

The Temmincki Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus temminckii), also known as the Threadfin Wrasse, can be found among reefs and rocky outcroppings in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Males have a green or blue body with a red head or dorsal section, while females have a red body with green horizontal lines. Their diet consists of small invertebrates, such as crabs, shrimp and polycheate worms. They spend the days hunting for food throughout the reef, and by night they sleep and hide among rockwork. Though they only reach 4 inches in length, they should be housed in an aquarium with at least 50 gallons, as they require plenty of space to swim, as well as live rock to provide shelter. They do well in reef aquariums, though they should not be kept with prized invertebrates, do to their diet, and should not be kept with larger, predatory fish, do to their size. Lids are recommended, as some wrasse have been known to jump.