The dwarf pintail fairy wrasses are finally coming

There are two pintail fairy wrasses, the large Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus usually from Japan and the smaller Cirrhilabrus cf. lanceolatus which is known from Japan and the northern Philippines. In regards to the smaller dwarf pintail, this is an undescribed species sometimes referred to as Cirrhilabrus sp. 1 but there is a lot to describe on this exquisite little reef fish.

We have to confess that when it comes to aquarium wrasses, we very much enjoy many different species of labrids, especially Flashers and Fairies in other people’s aquariums. That is, except for the dwarf Cirrhilabrus like C. johnsoni and this C. cf. lanceolatus. Like C. squirei, these “dwarf” fairy wrasses have a lot more patterning than their larger brethren and the females are especially endowed with delicate, beautiful markings on both the face and the body.

A group of female pintail fairy wrasses showing their very attractive yellow-scribbled red faces. Photo RVS Fishworld

Even in unexcited coloration the male pintail fairy wrasse is bordering on spectacular. Photo RVS Fishworld

Pintail fairy wrasses are finally being collected in decent numbers, but there’s a huge global market to satisfy. Photo RVS Fishworld

ABout four years ago there was a minute trickle of this species of the pintail fairy wrasse and the demand was so great and immediate that very few made it to the United States, and we recall one specimen at LiveAquaria approaching $1000 at the retail level. The good news is, that divers employed by RVS Fishworld Inc. have discovered a honey pot in the northern Philippines where they are finally starting to find the dwarf pintail fairy wrasse in decent numbers.

Like so many reef fish species before it, what was once a holy grail once a year specimen is now going to be enjoyed by a greater swath of fairy wrasse enthusiasts. The new honey pot of the Cirrhilabrus cf. lanceolatus are being found at rubble bottoms at a very reasonable 90 ft depth which means that not only are the fish easier to catch and divers can collect more, but the fish are responding well in decompression and arriving at dealers tanks in extremely good condition.

When in flashing coloration the colors of the dwarf pintail fairy wrasse are bordering on metallic. Photo Pisces Kazu

Even when it is relaxed the colors of the male dwarf pintail fairy wrasse border on the mind blowing. Photo Pisces Kazu

If you should happen upon some dwarf pintail fairy wrasses at your local fish store, this is one sweet species to consider for a reef tank. They’re hardy, they stay small and don’t “overgrow” the way that the large fairy wrasses can, and a mature adult male will reward you with color and pattern to knock your socks off. What we particularly love about the dwarf pintail fairy wrasse is no matter how long you’ve been keeping reef tanks and saltwater fish, you’ll remember the first time you see this species in full glory.

Jake Adams

Jake Adams has been an avid marine aquarist since the mid 90s and has worked in the retail side of the marine aquarium trade for more than ten years. He has a bachelor’s degree in Marine Science and has been the managing editor of ReefBuilders.com since 2008. Jake is interested in every facet of the marine aquarium hobby from the concepts to the technology, rare fish to exotic corals, and his interests are well documented through a very prolific career of speaking to reef clubs and marine aquarium events, and writing articles for aquarium publications across the globe. His primary interest is in corals which Jake pursues in the aquarium hobby as well as diving the coral reefs of the world.