1.3 Fairy Wrasses: The lanceolatus group

The members of the lanceolatus group are some of the largest and showiest fairy wrasses, collectively celebrated for their grandiose caudal fin and chromatic brilliance. The group spans most of the Indo-Pacific, with its various species occupying a series of…

A spectacular terminal male Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus debuts in Singapore

For hardcore wrasse lovers, Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus needs no introductions. For the less avid wrasse aficionados, here’s a little short intro before we dive into the story proper. Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus is a deepwater  japanese endemic not to be confused with Cirrhilabrus…

Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus in nuptial display is a sight to behold

Cirrhilabrus lanceolatus is a japanese endemic fairy wrasse that is so beautiful and so rare, its almost cruel and karmic how unobtainable it is. Most reefers are familiar with the rose-banded fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus roseafascia) which closely resembles the lanceolatus fairy…

Is the Okinawa Chromis the Rarest Most Expensive Damselfish in the World?

High-end marine fish retailer Unique Fins has informed Reef Builders that it has imported (and sold,) a super rare Okinawa Chromis, Chromis okamurai, From Japan. Chromis okamurai was previously only known from a single specimen dredged in 1979 from the…

Cirrhilabrus sanguineus – Red Blotched Fairy Wrasse Collected in Mauritius

Cirrhilabrus sanguineus, the red-blotched fairy wrasse is a very rare, deepwater species of fairy wrasse from the Indian Ocean that we’ve never personally seen in the aquarium trade. A few lonely specimens of Cirrhilabrus sanguineus have made their way to Asia…

Cirrhilabrus isosceles finally gives the pintail fairy wrasse a name

Cirrhilabrus isosceles is the 51st member of the fairy wrasse genus, and one whose time to receive official scientific description has been long overdue. Long referred to as C. cf lanceolatus or the Pintail Fairy Wrasse, this is a fish that packs…

4.0 Cirrhilabrus laboutei & the Origins of Fairy Wrasse Diversity

At last, we’ve reached the thrilling conclusion to this comprehensive review of Fairy Wrasse evolution, and it’s time to once more dwell upon the topic of the group’s origins. As we’ve previously discussed, this enormously diverse genus can be comfortably categorized…

3.3 Fairy Wrasses: The rubriventralis group

The rubriventralis group features some of the most beloved and charming species of fairy wrasses, ornately adorned with painterly brilliance and morphological exuberance. Unlike some of the characteristically larger members of Cirrhilabrus, the rubriventralis group members remain small, rarely exceeding…

House of Fins 58th anniversary SPLASH sale this weekend in Greenwich CT

The House of Fins anniversary SPLASH sale is our annual excuse to share a gallery of exceptionally rare reef fish. In 2015 the infamous House of Fins or ‘HOF’ will be celebrating its 58th year in business with a huge…

Awesome Fish Spotlight: Cirrhilabrus roseafascia from the Coral Sea

Among the two dozen or so most commonly encountered fairy wrasses, the elusive rose banded fairy wrasse, Cirrhilabrus roseafascia is not among them. This species is a relative newcomer to the documented fairy wrasse group, having only been described in 1982.…