Koi Dwarf Parrot Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus solorensis) Male The Koi Dwarf Parrot Wrasse, Cirrhilabrus solorensis, is a colourful and active reef-safe fairy wrasse with a yellow to orange face, blue-green body tones and vivid red, purple or pink highlights that can shift with mood, sex and display behaviour. Also known as the Red-eye Fairy Wrasse, Red-headed Fairy Wrasse or Solor Fairy Wrasse, this Western Pacific species is a lively open-water swimmer for mature reef aquariums. It is peaceful compared with many marine fish, but can be boisterous at feeding time and needs space, a secure lid and stable water quality. Common Name:Koi Dwarf Parrot Wrasse, Koi Fairy Wrasse, Red-eye Fairy Wrasse, Red-headed Fairy Wrasse, Solor Fairy Wrasse, Solar Wrasse, Dwarf Parrot Wrasse. Scientific Name (Latin):Cirrhilabrus solorensis Maximum Size:Up to around 12 cm. Water Type:Marine Origin / Natural Habitat:Western Pacific, especially Indonesia and northern Australia. Naturally found in coastal to outer reef lagoons, shallow patch reefs, rubble areas and coral-rich habitats, often over exposed rubble and hard coral cover at depths of around 5–35 m. Water Parameters:Temperature: 24–27°CpH Range: 8.1–8.4Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025 Temperament:Peaceful to mildly assertive. It is usually suitable for reef communities, but males may display towards other fairy wrasses, flasher wrasses or similarly shaped fish. It can be energetic and competitive at feeding time, so avoid keeping it with very timid planktivores in smaller aquariums. Diet:Planktivorous carnivore. In the wild, it feeds on small zooplankton and drifting crustaceans in the water column. In the aquarium, offer a varied diet of frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, copepods, cyclops, calanus, finely chopped krill, quality marine pellets and other small meaty foods. Small regular feeds help maintain colour, condition and activity. Minimum Tank Size:A minimum of 250 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred if keeping multiple wrasses or an active reef community. This is a lively swimmer and should not be treated as a nano fish despite the “dwarf parrot” trade name. Behaviour & Activity:An active daytime wrasse that spends much of its time swimming above rockwork and reef structure, picking food from the water column. Males may flash brighter colours during display behaviour. Unlike sand-burying wrasses, fairy wrasses usually sleep in rockwork or sheltered crevices rather than burying in the substrate. A tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is essential, as this species is a strong jumper when startled. Reef Safe:Reef SafeSafe with corals and most ornamental invertebrates. It does not nip corals and is well suited to reef aquariums with suitable tank mates. Very tiny planktonic crustaceans may be eaten as part of its natural diet, but it is generally compatible with snails, hermit crabs, cleaner shrimps and typical reef invertebrates. Special Requirements or Care Notes:A secure lid is essential. Provide open swimming room, mature rockwork, crevices and strong but not excessive water movement. Avoid aggressive wrasses, large dottybacks, predatory hawkfish or bullying damsels. If mixing with other fairy wrasses, introduce carefully and avoid combining similar males unless the aquarium is large with plenty of visual barriers. Colouration is variable, and trade names may overlap with similar species, so exact identification should be based on appearance and supplier information. Suitable for:Intermediate fishkeepers Availability: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.
