Kato Fairy Wrasse - Cirrhilabrus katoi

Kato Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus katoi)

The Kato Fairy Wrasse is a beautiful and highly sought-after marine wrasse admired for its vivid red, pink and orange colouration, elegant body shape and impressive display behaviour. Mature males can develop particularly intense colours and extended finnage, especially when interacting with other wrasses. Peaceful, reef safe and highly active, this species makes an exceptional addition to established reef aquariums with calm tankmates, secure rockwork and a tightly fitted lid.

Common Name:
Kato Fairy Wrasse, Kato's Fairy Wrasse

Scientific Name (Latin):
Cirrhilabrus katoi

Maximum Size:
Approximately 8–9 cm

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Kato Fairy Wrasse is associated with coral-rich reef environments where it inhabits deeper reef slopes and areas containing a mixture of open water and complex reef structure.

It spends much of the day swimming above the reef while remaining close enough to rockwork to retreat quickly when threatened.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Nitrate: Low and stable
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm

Temperament:
Peaceful

The Kato Fairy Wrasse is generally peaceful towards unrelated marine fish and is well suited to established community reef aquariums.

Mature males may display towards other fairy wrasses and can become mildly territorial towards similar Cirrhilabrus species, particularly where aquarium space is limited.

Diet:
Carnivore / Planktivore

The Kato Fairy Wrasse naturally feeds on small planktonic organisms within the water column.

In the aquarium, offer a varied diet including frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped krill and quality small marine pellets or flakes.

Several smaller meals throughout the day are beneficial because fairy wrasses are active swimmers with relatively high energy requirements.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 150 litres

A mature aquarium with plenty of open swimming room and established rockwork is recommended.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Kato Fairy Wrasse is an energetic daytime swimmer that commonly occupies the middle and upper areas of the aquarium.

Mature males may intensify their colouration and extend their fins during social or courtship displays.

Provide substantial open swimming space alongside caves, overhangs and secure rockwork where the fish can retreat and sleep.

Fairy wrasses do not require a deep sandbed for sleeping and instead shelter within reef structure.

A tightly fitted aquarium lid is essential, as Cirrhilabrus wrasses are accomplished jumpers.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe

The Kato Fairy Wrasse is generally considered reef safe and does not normally damage healthy corals, clams or established ornamental invertebrates.

Its feeding behaviour is centred primarily on small planktonic foods rather than coral tissue or larger reef inhabitants.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Provide a mature marine aquarium with stable water chemistry, good filtration and plenty of secure rockwork.

A tightly fitted lid covering all openings is essential because fairy wrasses can jump suddenly when startled, during feeding or during acclimation.

Avoid aggressive or highly territorial tankmates that may intimidate this relatively peaceful species.

If keeping several fairy wrasses, provide ample swimming space and introduce them carefully to reduce territorial disputes.

Regular varied feeding helps maintain strong body condition and vibrant colouration.

Newly introduced specimens may initially remain close to shelter but usually become considerably more confident once established.

Suitable for:
Intermediate

Availability:
Availability can vary depending on season, collection area and supplier.

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.