Common Names: Flame Wrasse, Jordan’s Fairy Wrasse, Hawaiian Flame Wrasse

Scientific Name: Cirrhilabrus jordani

Origin: Hawaii (Endemic)

Max Size: 10 cm (approx. 4 inches)

Lifespan: 58 years

Temperament: Peaceful; shy when first introduced

Diet: Carnivore Planktivore

Care Level: Moderate (Sensitive to lighting and depth transitions)

The “Flame” Effect: The body is a vibrant, shimmering gold-to-yellow on the lower half, transitioning into a deep, fiery red on the upper half and head.

The Fins: The dorsal and anal fins are a brilliant red, often edged in an iridescent violet or neon blue.

Terminal Males: Males are much more colorful than females, featuring a “mask” of intense red on the face and a more pronounced golden glow. When “flashing,” the male can make his colors appear almost metallic.

Peaceful & Social: This is one of the most docile fairy wrasses. It is never aggressive toward other species and spends its day gracefully swimming in the mid-to-upper water column.

Reef Safe: 100% Reef Safe. They will not bother corals, clams, or ornamental invertebrates.

The “Harem” Dynamic: Like other Cirrhilabrus, they are protogynous hermaphrodites. They thrive in a harem (one male with two or more females). If the male dies, the dominant female will transition into a male.

Tank Mates: Best kept with other peaceful reef fish like Anthias, Firefish, and peaceful Tangs. Avoid aggressive “bully” wrasses (like the Six-Line) or large, predatory fish that might intimidate this shy species.

Tank Size: A minimum of 115L (30 Gallons) for a single specimen, though 285L (75 Gallons) is highly recommended for a harem to allow for their active swimming.

Lid is Mandatory: Like all wrasses, the Flame Wrasse is a prolific jumper. They are extremely fast and can easily leap out of even the smallest gaps.

Lighting: Since they are naturally found in deeper water (often 30m+), they can be sensitive to high-intensity LED reef lights initially. It is best to acclimate them under lower light or provide plenty of shaded overhangs in the rockwork.

Rockwork: Provide plenty of live rock with caves and swim-throughs. They sleep in the rockwork inside a protective mucus cocoon.

Feeding Frequency: Feed 23 times daily.

Preferred Foods: Frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, and high-quality copepods.

Dry Foods: They generally transition well to high-quality marine flakes and small pellets once they feel secure.

Common Names: Flame Wrasse, Jordan’s Fairy Wrasse, Hawaiian Flame Wrasse

Scientific Name: Cirrhilabrus jordani

Origin: Hawaii (Endemic)

Max Size: 10 cm (approx. 4 inches)

Lifespan: 58 years

Temperament: Peaceful; shy when first introduced

Diet: Carnivore Planktivore

Care Level: Moderate (Sensitive to lighting and depth transitions)

The “Flame” Effect: The body is a vibrant, shimmering gold-to-yellow on the lower half, transitioning into a deep, fiery red on the upper half and head.

The Fins: The dorsal and anal fins are a brilliant red, often edged in an iridescent violet or neon blue.

Terminal Males: Males are much more colorful than females, featuring a “mask” of intense red on the face and a more pronounced golden glow. When “flashing,” the male can make his colors appear almost metallic.

Peaceful & Social: This is one of the most docile fairy wrasses. It is never aggressive toward other species and spends its day gracefully swimming in the mid-to-upper water column.

Reef Safe: 100% Reef Safe. They will not bother corals, clams, or ornamental invertebrates.

The “Harem” Dynamic: Like other Cirrhilabrus, they are protogynous hermaphrodites. They thrive in a harem (one male with two or more females). If the male dies, the dominant female will transition into a male.

Tank Mates: Best kept with other peaceful reef fish like Anthias, Firefish, and peaceful Tangs. Avoid aggressive “bully” wrasses (like the Six-Line) or large, predatory fish that might intimidate this shy species.

Tank Size: A minimum of 115L (30 Gallons) for a single specimen, though 285L (75 Gallons) is highly recommended for a harem to allow for their active swimming.

Lid is Mandatory: Like all wrasses, the Flame Wrasse is a prolific jumper. They are extremely fast and can easily leap out of even the smallest gaps.

Lighting: Since they are naturally found in deeper water (often 30m+), they can be sensitive to high-intensity LED reef lights initially. It is best to acclimate them under lower light or provide plenty of shaded overhangs in the rockwork.

Rockwork: Provide plenty of live rock with caves and swim-throughs. They sleep in the rockwork inside a protective mucus cocoon.

Feeding Frequency: Feed 23 times daily.

Preferred Foods: Frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, and high-quality copepods.

Dry Foods: They generally transition well to high-quality marine flakes and small pellets once they feel secure.

Common Names: Flame Wrasse, Jordan’s Fairy Wrasse, Hawaiian Flame Wrasse

Scientific Name: Cirrhilabrus jordani

Origin: Hawaii (Endemic)

Max Size: 10 cm (approx. 4 inches)

Lifespan: 58 years

Temperament: Peaceful; shy when first introduced

Diet: Carnivore Planktivore

Care Level: Moderate (Sensitive to lighting and depth transitions)

The “Flame” Effect: The body is a vibrant, shimmering gold-to-yellow on the lower half, transitioning into a deep, fiery red on the upper half and head.

The Fins: The dorsal and anal fins are a brilliant red, often edged in an iridescent violet or neon blue.

Terminal Males: Males are much more colorful than females, featuring a “mask” of intense red on the face and a more pronounced golden glow. When “flashing,” the male can make his colors appear almost metallic.

Peaceful & Social: This is one of the most docile fairy wrasses. It is never aggressive toward other species and spends its day gracefully swimming in the mid-to-upper water column.

Reef Safe: 100% Reef Safe. They will not bother corals, clams, or ornamental invertebrates.

The “Harem” Dynamic: Like other Cirrhilabrus, they are protogynous hermaphrodites. They thrive in a harem (one male with two or more females). If the male dies, the dominant female will transition into a male.

Tank Mates: Best kept with other peaceful reef fish like Anthias, Firefish, and peaceful Tangs. Avoid aggressive “bully” wrasses (like the Six-Line) or large, predatory fish that might intimidate this shy species.

Tank Size: A minimum of 115L (30 Gallons) for a single specimen, though 285L (75 Gallons) is highly recommended for a harem to allow for their active swimming.

Lid is Mandatory: Like all wrasses, the Flame Wrasse is a prolific jumper. They are extremely fast and can easily leap out of even the smallest gaps.

Lighting: Since they are naturally found in deeper water (often 30m+), they can be sensitive to high-intensity LED reef lights initially. It is best to acclimate them under lower light or provide plenty of shaded overhangs in the rockwork.

Rockwork: Provide plenty of live rock with caves and swim-throughs. They sleep in the rockwork inside a protective mucus cocoon.

Feeding Frequency: Feed 23 times daily.

Preferred Foods: Frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, and high-quality copepods.

Dry Foods: They generally transition well to high-quality marine flakes and small pellets once they feel secure.