Deepwater Wrasse

About

The deepwater wrasse (Cirrhilabrus bathyphilus) is a fairy wrasse collected from the far reaches of the western Pacific, specifically the isolated reefs and banks of the Coral Sea, including Holmes Reef and Chesterfield Bank. As the name suggests, this species lives at greater depths than many of its fairy wrasse relatives, spending its time close to the reef structure in a benthic lifestyle. Hugging the bottom and associated rubble zones rather than cruising open water. Because of its remote origins and depth preferences, it turns up in the hobby only occasionally, making it a genuine oddity for wrasse enthusiasts who come across one. Like other members of Cirrhilabrus, it is a small, active fish that generally behaves well in a mixed reef or fish-only system, though its intermediate care rating reflects the need for a stable, well-maintained setup and some experience reading the needs of small reef fish. It appreciates plenty of reef structure to dart between and feels most secure in a tank with established rockwork. If you're lucky enough to find one, it represents a slice of some genuinely hard-to-reach wild places, which is part of the appeal for collectors drawn to the less common corners of the wrasse family.