Pink Margin Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus Rubrimarginatus)

Pink Margin Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubrimarginatus)

The Pink Margin Fairy Wrasse, also known as the Red-margined Fairy Wrasse, is a large and elegant member of the Cirrhilabrus genus. Found throughout the Western Pacific, including the deeper reef slopes of Indonesia, it is prized for its sophisticated "pastel" color palette and its impressive size. While it may not have the neon intensity of a Naoko's or a Flame Wrasse, its graceful swimming and delicate markings make it a superb centerpiece for a medium-to-large reef.

Key Information

• Common Names: Pink Margin Fairy Wrasse, Red-margined Fairy Wrasse

• Scientific Name: Cirrhilabrus rubrimarginatus

• Origin: Western Pacific (Indonesia, Philippines, Japan to Fiji)

• Max Size: 13–15 cm (approx. 5–6 inches)

• Lifespan: 5–8 years

• Temperament: Peaceful to Semi-aggressive (can be bold toward smaller wrasses)

• Diet: Carnivore – Planktivore

• Care Level: Easy

Appearance & Identification

This wrasse is all about subtle gradients and fine detailing:

• The Body: Features a pale pink-to-lavender or greenish-white body covered in numerous tiny pink or orange spots.

• The "Margin": Its namesake feature is the bold pink-to-red border on the exterior edges of the dorsal and caudal (tail) fins.

• Terminal Males: Males develop a more pronounced, slightly "hunched" back and much more intense red margins on their fins. They also exhibit a yellow-to-white patch on the chest area.

• The Tail: Unlike many fairy wrasses with rounded tails, the Pink Margin often has a crescent-shaped or lyre-tail as it reaches maturity.

Behaviour & Tank Compatibility

• The Active Patroller: Because of its larger size, this wrasse is a very confident swimmer. It spends most of its time in the open water column, making it a highly visible addition to the tank.

• Social Structure: Like most fairy wrasses, they are protogynous hermaphrodites. They can be kept in a harem (one male with multiple females) if added simultaneously or if the females are added first.

• Reef Safe: 100% Reef Safe. They will not bother corals, clams, or larger ornamental invertebrates. They may, however, pick at very tiny commensal shrimp if they are hungry.

• Tank Mates: Excellent with Tangs, Angelfish, and Anthias. Because it is one of the larger Cirrhilabrus, it can hold its own with moderately active fish but should be monitored if kept with much smaller, timid wrasses.

Ideal Tank Setup

• Tank Size: A minimum of 200L–285L (55–75 Gallons) is recommended due to its size and active nature.

• Lid is Mandatory: This is a powerful and fast swimmer. If startled, it can launch itself with significant force. A secure mesh or glass lid with no gaps is essential.

• Rockwork: Provide a reef with plenty of horizontal swim-throughs. At night, they seek out a specific crevice in the rocks to sleep in their protective mucus cocoon.

• Lighting: Their colors look best under full-spectrum LED lighting with a slight blue bias, which highlights the iridescent pink spots.

Dietary Needs

They have a high metabolism and require frequent, high-quality meals:

• Feeding Frequency: Feed 2–3 times daily.

• Preferred Foods: Frozen mysis, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, and Calanus. They are also very easy to transition to high-quality marine flakes and pellets.

• Color Support: To keep the "pink margin" vibrant, offer foods rich in astaxanthin or other natural color enhancers.

Why Choose the Pink Margin Fairy Wrasse?

The Pink Margin is for the hobbyist who wants a large, hardy, and sophisticated-looking wrasse. It offers a different "vibe" than the typical neon-colored wrasses—it is graceful, spotted, and carries a unique fin structure. For a large Indonesian reef display, it serves as a perfect mid-water "filler" that remains peaceful toward most tank mates while providing constant movement and elegance.