Cirrhilabrus katoi

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Facts
Latin name Cirrhilabrus katoi
Family Labridae - Cirrhilabrus
Origin Japan
Max length 7 cm (2.8")
As aquarium fish
Minimum volume 300 l (79 gal)
Hardiness Average
Suitable for aquarium Suitable for special aquariums
Reef safe Always reef safe
Aggressiveness Might be aggressive
Feed
Recommended Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...)
Zooplankton (Cyclops, pods...)
Beware of
Jumps out of open aquaria

This species is known to jump out of open aquaria.

Cool water

This species lives in water colder than is the norm for a marine aquarium.

The temperature should be between 18 and 24 °C (64 and 75 °F).

Keep in mind
Requires a varied diet

This species must be fed with an appropriately varied diet.

Sensitive during transportation

This species is very sensitive during transportation and acclimatizing into the aquarium.

Frequent feeding

This fish requires feeding several times a day, especially when newly added.

When the fish can find its natural food in the aquarium it requires less frequent feeding. 

Hermaphrodite

This species can change gender from male to female and vice versa.

Hiding places

This species needs good hiding places, for example, between live rocks.

Requires plenty of space for swimming.

This species revels in swimming and requires an aquarium with ample space.

Multiple variants

This species comes in multiple color variations which can make identification problematic.

A pair, or one male with several females

This species functions best as a pair (one male, one female), or one male with several females.

Docile

This species is very shy and docile, so one should be careful when keeping it with more aggressive fish.

Can be aggressive

This species can be aggressive when kept together with fish that are very similar, or if they are not provided with adequate space.

Descriptions and further reading
Genus description (Cirrhilabrus)

Fish in the genus Cirrhilabrus are very colourful and most of them are well suited to aquarium life.

They are for the most part very peaceful, but in some cases can be aggressive to closely related species. Add the largest males last, if one wants to keep multiple species together. The tank should be at least 100 gal (400 liters), but preferably 200 gal (800 liters) or more.

There is a little difference in how bold they are, some will be in the water column shortly after their introduction, whereas others need peace and quiet when first added.

As their normal reaction to being hunted or chased is to swim straight upwards there needs to be a lid on the aquarium and a secure overflow. One should therefore avoid keeping these fish with species that hunt them to avoid injury when they hit the cover.

Males can be rough with each other, but one male and several females go well together. It is best to introduce them simultaneously, or alternatively the females first. One needs a lot of space for a larger group.

There is often a large colour variation, depending on their origin and there can be a big difference between male and female. They can also change gender both from male to female and vice versa.
Males can change and flash their colours during courtship.

Fairy Wrasses like some Parrotfish, sleep between rocks in a cocoon of mucus.

They eat for the most part frozen- and flake foods of appropriate size and if their colour is to be kept, need a varied and high quality diet. Since they are very active they need feeding at least twice daily.

When these fish are chosen in the fish store, pay close attention to the mouth area as this can be injured during transport, which can lead to infection. It is also worth checking that they are active when feeding, especially in regard to large individuals.

Family description (Labridae)

Wrasses are nearly always seen in reef aquaria, since many of the species are both attractive and useful in battling a range of unwanted invertebrates like i.e. flatworms, pyramide snails.
These fish live of everything from zooplankton to large crustaceans, sea urchins and the like.

The needs and behaviour of Wrasses vary greatly, so it is vital to familiarize oneself with the specific species before buying one.

References and further reading

About references

Henry C. Schultz. 2003. The Fairy Wrasses: Cirrhilabrus spp. - Reefkeeping Magazine - (English)
Phillip Hunt. 2010. Cirrhilabrus: The Fairy Wrasses - Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine - (English)
Bob Fenner. Fairy or Velvet Wrasses, the Genus Cirrhilabrus, pt. 1 - Wet Web Media - (English)
Bob Fenner. Fairy or Velvet Wrasses, the Genus Cirrhilabrus, pt. 2 - Wet Web Media - (English)
Tony Vargas. 2011. Aquarium Fish: Spawning Cirrhilabrus jordani - Advanced Aquarist - (English)

Scott W. Michael. 2009. Wrasses and Parrotfishes (Reef Fishes Series Book 5) - TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)