How related are they?
Same genus, Cirrhilabrus (Fairy wrasses): very close cousins
They split at the species level.
Find the Exquisite Wrasse on the tree · Find the Fairy Wrasse on the tree
Family lines, side by side
Highlighted rows are groups both animals belong to. The marked row is where their lines go separate ways.
| Rank | Exquisite Wrasse | Fairy Wrasse |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia Animals | |
| Phylum | Chordata Chordates | |
| Subphylum | Vertebrata Vertebrates | |
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata jawed vertebrates | |
| Parvphylum | Osteichthyes bony fishes | |
| Gigaclass | Actinopterygii ray-finned fishes | |
| Superclass | Actinopteri | |
| Class | Teleostei Teleost fishes | |
| Order | Eupercaria (unplaced) Unplaced eupercarian fishes | |
| Family | Labridae Wrasses | |
| Subfamily | Cirrhilabrinae Fairy wrasses and allies | |
| Genus | Cirrhilabrus Fairy wrasses | |
| Species split | Cirrhilabrus exquisitus Exquisite Wrasse | — |
Care, side by side
| Fact | Exquisite Wrasse | Fairy Wrasse |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fish · Wrasse | Fish · Wrasse |
| Care level | Easy | Easy |
| Reef safe | Yes | Yes |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Diet | Planktivore | Planktivore |
| Favorite foods | Vitamin-enriched frozen mysis shrimp, Enriched brine shrimp, Frozen copepods | Enriched frozen mysis shrimp, Enriched brine shrimp, Frozen copepods and Calanus |
| Max size | 4.7 in (12 cm) | 6.3 in (16 cm) |
| Minimum tank | 70 gal | 55 gal |
| Temperature | 72–78 °F | 72–78 °F |
| Salinity (SG) | 1.020–1.025 | 1.020–1.025 |
| pH | 8.1–8.4 | 8.1–8.4 |
| Lifespan | Not documented for this species. Hobby sources quote about 5-8 years for fairy wrasses in general; no published longevity study found. | About 5-8 years is quoted for fairy wrasses by a hobby source (AquariumSource); no published longevity study found. |
| Breeding | Not achieved | Not achieved |
| Conservation (IUCN) | Data Deficient | Not Evaluated |