Cirrhilabrus johnsoni is a very rare fairy wrasse which has thus far only sporadically made it’s way into the aquarium trade. Hailing from the Marshall Islands, Cirrhilabrus johnsoni is only known from a small part of the island chain called Kwajalein Atoll which is a distance from the usual dive and fish collection spots in the Marshalls. last month saw the collection of a handful of these small fairy wrasses and it appears that this month will be just as lucky as we’ve come to learn that Brian Greene of Twilight Aquatics has collected, and probably started to distribute, about two dozen Cirrhilabrus johnsoni which was confirmed by the inset image of a bucketful of the rare wrasses. 

Cirhilabrus johnsoni may be one of the smallest fairy wrasse species but that doesn’t mean it wil come with a small price tag. Blue Harbor already has the species listed for sale on their site for the Yen equivalent of about $800 and we expect nice male specimens to sell for $600 a piece in the U.S. and perhaps $1000 for the pairs. Johnson’s fairy wrasse is rare enough in captivity that very few pictures of it exist, and fewer still of a totally studly flashing male specimen. C. johnsoni is a species which has the potential for very striking coloration, as evidenced by a few more photos after the break.

Male Cirrhilabrus jhnsoni displaying, Photo by Hiroyuki Tanaka

A younger, less mature male which hints at the rainbow of colors waiting to be displayed in nuptial condition. Photo from Blue Harbor.