The Splendid Pintail Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus isosceles) is a stunning and relatively rare fish in the marine aquarium trade. It's known for its vibrant colors and peaceful nature. Here’s a care guide to help you keep this fish healthy and happy in your aquarium:
Tank Requirements
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Tank Size: A minimum of 50 gallons is recommended, though larger tanks (75 gallons or more) are ideal if keeping multiple wrasses or other active fish.
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Aquascape: Provide plenty of live rock for hiding and grazing. Wrasses enjoy having crevices and caves to retreat into.
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Substrate: A sandy substrate is preferable, as many wrasses may burrow or sleep in the sand.
Water Parameters
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Temperature: 72-78°F (22-26°C)
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pH: 8.1-8.4
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Specific Gravity: 1.023-1.025
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Ammonia, Nitrite: 0 ppm
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Nitrate: <10 ppm
Diet
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Varied Diet: Feed a mix of high-quality frozen foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood. Enrich the diet with marine-specific flakes and pellets.
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Frequency: Feed 2-3 times daily, in small amounts to prevent overfeeding and maintain water quality.
Compatibility
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Peaceful Nature: The Splendid Pintail Fairy Wrasse is generally peaceful and can be kept with other non-aggressive fish.
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Tankmates: Ideal tankmates include other fairy wrasses, clownfish, gobies, and dwarf angelfish. Avoid large predatory fish or overly aggressive species.
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Multiple Wrasses: If keeping multiple wrasses, introduce them simultaneously to reduce territorial aggression. It's best to keep them singly or in groups with a single male and multiple females to prevent dominance issues.
Behavior
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Active Swimmers: They are active swimmers and will spend most of their time in the mid to upper water column.
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Coloration: Males are more colorful, especially during breeding displays. Females and juveniles may have more subdued colors.
Special Considerations
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Lid: Wrasses are known jumpers, so a tight-fitting lid is essential to prevent them from leaping out of the tank.
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Acclimation: Acclimate them slowly to avoid stress and ensure they adapt well to their new environment.
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Disease Prevention: Like all marine fish, they are susceptible to diseases such as ich. Maintain pristine water quality and consider a quarantine period before introducing them to the main tank.
With proper care, the Splendid Pintail Fairy Wrasse can be a long-lived and vibrant addition to your marine aquarium.
