Debelius Wrasse

Debelius Fairy Wrasse: The Elegant Reef Resident

The Debelius Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus adornatus), also known as the Red-Fin Fairy Wrasse or Koi Fairy Wrasse, is a smaller, peaceful species of Fairy Wrasse celebrated for its beautiful coloration and activity in the reef aquarium. Native to the Eastern Indian Ocean, specifically around Indonesia (Sumatra and Mentawai Islands), this fish is a planktivore that adds a dynamic splash of color as it darts between rockwork and open water.

Males display the most vibrant colors, featuring a pale pink or whitish body with two distinct, bright red triangular or trapezoidal blotches on the upper front portion of the body, a red-bordered dorsal fin, and a face often tinted with yellow. Females are generally reddish-pink with a small black spot on the upper caudal peduncle. This species is an excellent and highly recommended choice for a stable reef community tank.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: The Debelius Fairy Wrasse is a Carnivore/Planktivore that feeds on zooplankton in the wild. In the aquarium, it should be offered a varied diet of meaty foods 2-3 times daily, including high-quality marine flakes and pellets, vitamin-enriched frozen mysis shrimp, frozen brine shrimp, and copepods. Consistent feeding is vital for long-term health and color retention.
• Habitat: Like all Fairy Wrasses, this species is active and requires plenty of swimming space over the rockwork, but also numerous crevices and caves within the live rock structure to retreat to when startled and to sleep in at night. They are known jumpers, so a tight-fitting lid or canopy is mandatory.
• Reef Compatibility: It is Completely Reef Safe. It will not harm corals, soft polyps, or most invertebrates. Caution should be exercised with very small ornamental crustaceans like tiny cleaner shrimp (e.g., Sexy Shrimp), which it may predate upon, though this is rare.
• Temperament: It is Peaceful. It coexists well with other peaceful tankmates. Males can be kept singly or in a harem with multiple females, but generally, only one male Fairy Wrasse (or Flasher Wrasse) should be kept per tank unless the aquarium is very large (100+ gallons) and species are selected from different genetic "complexes" to avoid inter-species aggression.
• Sleeping Habit: Unlike some wrasse species that bury in the sand, Fairy Wrasses form a protective mucus cocoon or wedge themselves into a rock crevice to sleep at night.

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Cirrhilabrus adornatus
• Primary Common Name: Debelius Fairy Wrasse
• Other Common Names: Red-Fin Fairy Wrasse, Koi Fairy Wrasse
• Origin: Eastern Indian Ocean (Indonesia)
• Max Size: 2.5–3 inches (6–8 cm)
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Care Level: Easy to Intermediate (Requires high water quality, multiple daily feedings, and a secure lid)
• Diet: Carnivore/Planktivore
• Minimum Tank Size: 50 Gallons (Stable, established tank)
• Reef Compatibility: Safe