Pintail Fairy Wrasse - Cirrhilabrus isosceles

Pintail Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus isosceles)

The Pintail Fairy Wrasse, Cirrhilabrus isosceles, is an elegant Western Pacific reef fish prized for its distinctive pointed tail and shimmering orange, yellow, lavender and blue colouration. Also known as the Splendid Pintail Fairy Wrasse, mature males display a bright blue to purplish stripe along the body and a distinctive triangular marking within the tail, while females and juveniles are generally softer orange in colour. This peaceful, active zooplankton feeder naturally swims above deeper reef slopes around Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines. Its manageable adult size and excellent coral compatibility make it a highly desirable choice for established reef aquariums with peaceful tank mates and a completely secure cover.

Common Name:
Pintail Fairy Wrasse, Splendid Pintail Fairy Wrasse, Pin-tail Fairy Wrasse.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Cirrhilabrus isosceles

Maximum Size:
Approximately 10 cm when fully grown.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Western Pacific, with records from southern Japan, including the Ryukyu Archipelago, as well as Taiwan and the Philippines. Pintail Fairy Wrasses inhabit deeper coastal and outer reef environments, generally at depths of approximately 24–60 metres. They occur around flat or gently sloping reef areas containing scattered coral growth, rocky outcrops and suitable crevices for shelter.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 23–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: Marine salinity 1.023–1.026 specific gravity; maintain stable salinity, alkalinity, strong oxygenation and consistently high water quality.

Temperament:
Peaceful, active and generally well suited to calm reef communities. Pintail Fairy Wrasses usually coexist well with unrelated marine fish but may become territorial towards closely related fairy wrasses or similarly coloured males. Avoid aggressive or highly dominant tank mates that may intimidate them or prevent them from feeding.

Diet:
Carnivorous zooplankton feeder. In the wild, this species feeds on copepods, small crustaceans and other planktonic organisms captured from the water column. In the aquarium, offer enriched mysis shrimp, Artemia, copepods, finely chopped krill, small marine pellets and quality marine flakes. Feed small portions at least twice daily, as fairy wrasses are active fish with relatively high energy requirements.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum aquarium volume of approximately 250 litres is recommended for one adult, with a long swimming area and extensive mature rockwork. Larger accommodation is preferable when maintaining several fairy wrasses or a compatible social group.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active daylight-swimming wrasse that spends much of its time moving through the middle and upper areas of the aquarium while feeding from the water column. Mature males may intensify their colours, extend their fins and perform rapid display swimming when interacting with females or rival wrasses.

At night, the fish retreats into a narrow rock crevice to sleep and may surround itself with a thin protective mucus cocoon. Unlike many sand-dwelling wrasses, the Pintail Fairy Wrasse does not normally bury itself in the substrate.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe

Pintail Fairy Wrasses do not normally damage corals, anemones, clams or established ornamental invertebrates. They feed primarily on small organisms suspended in the water and are well suited to mixed reef aquariums. Very small planktonic crustaceans and larvae may be consumed as part of their natural diet.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
A tightly fitted aquarium cover or fine mesh lid is essential, as fairy wrasses are exceptionally capable jumpers and may escape through very small openings. Provide extensive secure rockwork containing caves and narrow sleeping crevices, together with generous open swimming space.

Introduce closely related fairy wrasses carefully and add the largest or most dominant male last where possible. Keeping multiple mature males may result in persistent aggression unless the aquarium is exceptionally spacious. A single specimen can be maintained alone, while a social group should normally consist of one male with one or more females introduced together.

Newly introduced specimens may remain close to shelter for several days and should be offered small foods near their retreat until confident. Avoid aggressive feeders and maintain a regular feeding schedule to prevent loss of condition. Slow acclimation and quarantine are recommended, particularly because this species originates from deeper reef habitats and may be sensitive following collection and transport.

Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Rare or occasional in trade

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.