Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse

Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse: The Reef Jewel

The Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis) is a beautiful and active marine fish, prized for its vivid, contrasting colors. Originating from the waters of Indonesia, particularly Tomini Bay, Sulawesi, this species is a dazzling sight in the aquarium.

The male displays a magnificent pattern: a brilliant, shining orange or golden-yellow stripe runs along the entire length of its back, set against a lower body that fades into a vibrant blue, purple, or magenta. Males will also develop a dark red "crown" marking on the head and intensify their coloration dramatically during courtship displays, a behavior known as "flashing."

This species is moderately small, reaching a maximum adult size of approximately 3.5 to 4.5 inches (9-11 cm). Due to its active nature and constant foraging for food, a minimum aquarium size of 50 to 90 gallons is recommended. Like all fairy wrasses, the Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse is a jumper, so a tight-fitting lid or screen cover is mandatory to prevent escape.

Its peaceful temperament and reef-safe status make it an ideal centerpiece for most established marine community and reef tanks.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: The Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse is a dedicated Carnivore and a zooplankton feeder. It requires a diet rich in small, meaty foods, and due to its high metabolism, it must be fed two to three small feedings per day. Offer a variety of vitamin-enriched frozen foods, such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, copepods, and cyclops, supplemented with high-quality marine pellets or flakes.
• Sleeping Behavior: Fairy wrasses do not burrow into the sand. At night, they seek refuge within the rockwork or crevices, where they secrete a protective mucus cocoon to conceal their scent from nocturnal predators.
• Reef Compatibility: It is Reef Safe. This wrasse is generally safe with all corals (soft and hard) and most ornamental invertebrates. It may consume the smallest zooplankton and tiny benthic invertebrates living on the rockwork.
• Temperament: It is Peaceful and Active. It should be kept with other peaceful to semi-aggressive fish. It can be aggressive toward male wrasses of the same or very similar species (e.g., other Cirrhilabrus species). For best results, keep only one male per tank, or house a single male with multiple females (a harem) introduced simultaneously. It is not recommended to house this species with large, highly aggressive, or predatory fish.

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis
• Primary Common Name: Orange-Back Fairy Wrasse
• Other Common Names: Orangeback Wrasse
• Origin: Western Central Pacific (Indonesia, Philippines)
• Max Size: 3.5-4.5 inches (9-11 cm)
• Temperament: Peaceful / Active (Jumping risk)
• Diet: Carnivore (Zooplankton Feeder, needs multiple daily feedings)
• Minimum Tank Size: 50+ Gallons
• Reef Compatibility: Yes (Safe with all corals)