The Colorful, Hardy Scott's Fairy Wrasse
A Beautiful Marine Aquarium Wrasse for the Tropical Saltwater Tank
Sep 27, 2009
The Scott’s fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus scottorum) is a fantastic tropical saltwater aquarium fish for the beginning marine aquarist, and, due to its coloration and behavior, it remains a welcome addition to the advanced aquarist’s display tank. From the group of wrasses commonly called fairy wrasses, the Scott’s fairy wrasse is an excellent choice for many reef and fish-only aquaria.
What is a Fairy Wrasse?
Based on current taxonomy, fairy wrasses are the second largest group of wrasses behind Halichoeres, and they are closely related to these other genera of wrasse:
- Paracheilinus (flasher wrasses)
- Pseudocheilinus (lined wrasses)
- Pteragogus (secretive wrasses)
From the Indo-Pacific, Scott’s fairy wrasses are fairly common on coastal reefs, where they tend to form shoals over reef rubble and macroalgae beds. They can also be found shoaling over reef areas dominated by stony corals with large polyps and soft corals. As planktivores, fairy wrasses feed in the water column. Their preferred location just above rubble, coral or macroalgae makes it easy for them to rise into the current, feed and then dart back into safety.
Scott’s Fairy Wrasses
Of all of the fairy wrasses commonly seen in the marine aquarium hobby, the Scott’s fairy wrasse, which is indigenous to the Pacific Ocean from the Great Barrier Reef to the Pitcairn Group, is a fairly large wrasse growing to about 13 cm. This fish is most commonly collected in Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, and Tahiti. While many are collected in relatively shallow water (at about 3 meters), this species is also commonly observed at depths up to 40 meters. In the wild, a shoal of Scott’s fairy wrasses will be dominated by females and juveniles.
Sexual Dichromatism
Fish species that demonstrate different colorations between the sexes—sexual dichromatism—are often popular fishes for aquarist. With some species, like the Scott’s fairy wrasse, it is possible (and even preferable) to keep a group of fishes representing both sexes together.
Most fairy wrasses begin life as asexual fishes that then develop female reproductive organs. Some fairy wrasses will then transform into males after they have reproduced, while others will progress directly to a male state. Scott's fairy wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites. There is at least anecdotal evidence that some species can transform from males back into fully-functioning females.
In addition to different colors based on sex, the Scott's fairy wrasse can vary greatly in coloration based on geography. A hobbyist familiar with this species can easily tell the difference between a male Scott's fairy wrasse from Australia versus one from Tonga.
Scott’s Fairy Wrasse Aquarium Care
In the aquarium, the aquarist should keep only one male Scott’s Fairy Wrasse per tank unless the tank is 240 gallons or larger. One male may be kept with an odd-number of females. This will insure the male will maintain his striking coloration over time.
Most commercially available foods will be readily accepted by the Scott's fairy wrasse. For optimal health and coloration, the Scott’s fairy wrasse should be fed a varied diet including fresh pieces of table seafood. All fairy wrasses do best when they are fed two to three times a day, and a connected, mature refugium is a good idea on a tank housing this beautiful fish.
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