Scott’s Fairy Wrasse – Cirrhilabrus scottorum 'Pacific'

Scott’s Fairy Wrasse – Cirrhilabrus scottorum 'Pacific'

Scott’s Fairy Wrasse, Cirrhilabrus scottorum, is a striking South Pacific reef fish prized for its variable green, blue, pink and red colouration. The Pacific form is often characterised by a green to blue-green upper body, a paler pink or reddish underside, fine dark speckling around the head and a contrasting red-brown patch along the middle of the body. Also known as Scott’s Wrasse or Scott’s Greenback Fairy Wrasse, this active zooplankton feeder naturally forms loose groups above outer reef habitats. It is coral-safe and highly attractive, but mature males can become assertive towards other fairy wrasses and require a spacious reef aquarium with carefully selected tank mates.

Common Name:
Scott’s Fairy Wrasse – Pacific, Scott’s Fairy Wrasse, Scott’s Wrasse, Scott’s Greenback Fairy Wrasse, Greenback Fairy Wrasse.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Cirrhilabrus scottorum “Pacific”

Maximum Size:
Usually around 11–13 cm when fully grown.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Southwestern and South Pacific, ranging from the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea eastwards through island groups of the tropical Pacific to the Pitcairn Islands. Scott’s Fairy Wrasses favour outer reef slopes and exposed reef habitats rather than sheltered lagoons, occurring at depths of approximately 3–40 metres.

They are normally observed in small groups swimming a short distance above the reef while feeding on zooplankton. These social groups commonly consist mainly of females and juveniles, with mature males patrolling larger areas and displaying above the reef.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–28°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 to moderately assertive. Scott’s Fairy Wrasses usually coexist well with robust, unrelated reef fish, but mature males can become territorial towards other fairy wrasses, particularly similar-looking Cirrhilabrus species. This species is often more dominant than smaller or more reserved fairy wrasses and should therefore be introduced with care.

Avoid keeping it with highly aggressive predators, but also avoid very timid wrasses that may be persistently chased or prevented from feeding. Two mature males should not normally be maintained together unless the aquarium is exceptionally large.

Diet:
Carnivorous zooplankton feeder. In the wild, Scott’s Fairy Wrasses feed on copepods, small crustaceans and other planktonic organisms captured above the reef.

In the aquarium, offer enriched mysis shrimp, Artemia, copepods, finely chopped krill, small marine pellets and high-quality marine flakes. Feed small portions at least twice daily, as this active species has a relatively high metabolism. A varied diet containing carotenoid-rich marine foods may help support strong natural colouration.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum aquarium volume of approximately 300 litres is recommended for one adult, with a long swimming area and extensive mature rockwork. An aquarium of 400 litres or more is preferable when maintaining several fairy wrasses or a social group.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active daylight-swimming wrasse that spends most 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, spread their fins and perform rapid display swimming when interacting with females or rival wrasses.

At night, the fish retreats into a narrow rock crevice and may surround itself with a thin protective mucus cocoon. Unlike many Halichoeres and leopard wrasses, Scott’s Fairy Wrasse does not normally bury itself in the sand.

Females are generally reddish or pink with fine dark speckling around the front of the body. As dominant individuals mature into males, they develop stronger green, blue, red and purple colouration. Exact markings vary considerably between Pacific collection locations, and some males may lose colour intensity when maintained without females or suitable social stimulation.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe

Scott’s Fairy Wrasses do not normally damage corals, anemones, clams or established ornamental invertebrates. They feed primarily on small planktonic organisms in the water column 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 powerful jumpers and may escape through very small openings. Cover gaps around cables, pipework and feeding hatches carefully.

Provide extensive secure rockwork containing caves and narrow sleeping crevices, together with generous open swimming space and moderate to strong, well-distributed water movement. Scott’s Fairy Wrasses are relatively active and assertive, so they require more space than many smaller Cirrhilabrus species.

Introduce other fairy wrasses carefully and add the largest or most dominant male last where possible. Using an acclimation box can help assess aggression before release. A social group should normally consist of one male with one or more females, although females may transition into males when no dominant male is present.

Newly introduced specimens may remain close to shelter for several days. Offer small foods near their retreat and avoid boisterous feeders that prevent them from eating. Slow acclimation and quarantine are recommended. Monitor colour, body condition and social behaviour, particularly when keeping several wrasse species together.

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.