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About Conde's Fairy Wrasse

Conde's Fairy Wrasse is a beautiful and relatively uncommon fairy wrasse known for its vibrant red colouration, white lower body and contrasting dark dorsal fin. Males generally display more intense colouration than females, making mature males particularly spectacular in a reef aquarium.

Native to parts of the Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea and western Pacific, this species is an active but peaceful reef fish that spends much of its time swimming through the water column above coral and rubble areas. It reaches around 8 cm in length, making it a relatively compact fairy wrasse.

Conde's Fairy Wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning individuals begin life as females and the dominant individual can transition into a male. They are best kept in a mature reef aquarium with plenty of live rock and open swimming space.

Like other fairy wrasses, they are active feeders and benefit from a varied diet of quality marine pellets, flakes and frozen foods such as mysis and enriched brine shrimp.

Quick Care Guide

Scientific Name: Cirrhilabrus condei
Common Name: Conde's Fairy Wrasse / Condes Fairy Wrasse
Family: Labridae
Type: Marine Fish / Fairy Wrasse
Adult Size: Approximately 8 cm
Temperament: Peaceful
Care Level: Intermediate
Minimum Aquarium: 150 L+
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 8.0–8.4
Salinity: 1.023–1.026 SG
Diet: Carnivore / Planktivore
Tank Level: Midwater to Upper Levels
Reef Safe: Yes
Suitable For: Reef aquariums and peaceful marine community tanks

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Conde's Fairy Wrasses reef safe?

Yes. They are generally considered reef safe and are excellent additions to coral reef aquariums.

How big does a Conde's Fairy Wrasse get?

They reach approximately 8 cm, making them a relatively small fairy wrasse.

Can Conde's Fairy Wrasses change sex?

Yes. They are protogynous hermaphrodites. Individuals begin life as females, with the dominant fish capable of transitioning into a male.

What do Conde's Fairy Wrasses eat?

They readily accept quality marine pellets and flakes alongside frozen foods such as mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp and finely chopped seafood.

Can they be kept in groups?

Yes, where aquarium size and compatibility allow. A group containing females with a dominant male can provide interesting natural behaviour. Multiple males may compete for dominance.

Common Mistakes

Keeping them in an undersized aquarium
Although relatively small, fairy wrasses are active swimmers and need open swimming space.

Not providing plenty of rockwork
Live rock and caves provide shelter and security.

Keeping multiple males together
Male fairy wrasses can compete for dominance and may become territorial.

Feeding too infrequently
These active fish benefit from regular feeding and a varied diet.

Keeping them with aggressive fish
Their peaceful nature makes them vulnerable to harassment from larger or highly aggressive tank mates.