Naoko's Fairy Wrasse - Cirrhilabrus naokoae

Naoko's Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus naokoae)

Naoko's Fairy Wrasse, Cirrhilabrus naokoae, is a striking and highly desirable reef-safe fairy wrasse from Indonesia, admired for its bold red, black, yellow and white colour pattern and active swimming behaviour. Also known as Naoko’s Wrasse or the Naoko Fairy Wrasse, this compact Cirrhilabrus species brings excellent colour and movement to peaceful marine aquariums. It is generally safe with corals and ornamental invertebrates, but like many fairy wrasses it needs a secure lid, regular feeding and careful mixing with other wrasses.

Common Name:
Naoko's Fairy Wrasse, Naoko’s Wrasse, Naoko Fairy Wrasse, Naoko’s Fairy Wrasse.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Cirrhilabrus naokoae

Maximum Size:
Up to around 6–7 cm, with some aquarium references allowing up to around 8 cm total length.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Eastern Indian Ocean, currently known from western Sumatra, Indonesia, including the Nias Island and Medan/Sumatra region in trade and type locality records. Naturally found in shallow reef lagoon and rubble habitats at around 10–20 m, where it feeds above the substrate on small zooplankton and uses reef structure for shelter.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025

Temperament:
Peaceful to semi-assertive. Naoko's Fairy Wrasse is generally suitable for reef communities, but males can be bold and may dominate quieter fairy wrasses, flasher wrasses or similarly shaped fish. Avoid housing with aggressive predators or very timid planktivores that may be outcompeted.

Diet:
Planktivorous carnivore. 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, energy and body condition.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 200 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred if keeping multiple wrasses or a busy reef community. Provide open swimming space as well as secure rockwork retreats.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active daytime swimmer that spends much of its time moving through the water column above rockwork and rubble. Males may intensify their colour and flare their fins when displaying, especially towards other wrasses. Like other fairy wrasses, it does not bury in sand; it uses rock crevices and sheltered areas for rest and security. A tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is essential, as this species can jump when startled.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
Safe with corals and most ornamental invertebrates. It does not nip corals and is well suited to peaceful reef aquariums. 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 mature rockwork, good oxygenation and open swimming space. If mixing with other Cirrhilabrus or Paracheilinus wrasses, introduce carefully and avoid very similar males unless the aquarium is large with multiple territory breaks. Naoko's Fairy Wrasse is part of a group of similar Indian Ocean and Indonesian fairy wrasses, so exact identification should be based on body pattern, fin colour and supplier information. Avoid copper treatment in display reef aquariums containing invertebrates.

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.