Scott's Velvet Wrasse (Cirrhilaburs Scottorum) Male

Care Level : Easy

Temperament : Semi-aggressive

Color : Black, Blue, Green, Red, Yellow

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : Yes

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 5"

Origin : Western, South, and Central Pacific

Family : Labridae

Minimum Tank Size : 90 gallons

The Scott's Velvet Wrasse (Cirrhilaburs Scottorum), Scott's Fairy Wrasse also known as the Black-fin or Blackedge Fairy Wrasse, originates from the waters of Australia, Cook Islands, and Fiji, and each location represents a color variation of Cirrhilabrus Scottorum.

The Scott's Velvet Wrasse from Fiji is also known as Scott's Greenback Fairy Wrasse and is mostly green in color with a striking black margin on the dorsal fin. Scott's Velvet Wrasse originating from Cook Islands is bluer in coloration with yellow fins and contains more definitive breaks between the colors. The variety collected from Australia contains more red within the fins and the break in coloration within the body is less dramatic. The male and female of this species are similarly colored, but when courting, the male will display increased color intensity. Males are also larger and have more elongated fins.It reaches up to just over 5 inches (13 cm) in length. Colors may vary depending on the fish's mood.

The Scott's Velvet Wrasse is a very peaceful, active fish that will bring both color and activity to a fish-only or reef aquarium of 90 gallons or larger. They do very well in reef aquariums with a lot of hiding places among live rock and corals as well as free open areas to swim in. These wrasses like to jump, so a tight fitting canopy is recommended.

It can be somewhat aggressive toward some species of dottybacks, basslets and longfins. They will not bother any corals or invertebrates making them a perfect fish for the reef aquarium. If you want to keep several Scott's Velvet Wrasse (one male + several females) you should always introduce the female before or at the same time as the male. Females introduced after the male might not be accepted and can have hard time acclimatizing to their new environment due to aggression from the male.

Scott's Velvet Wrasse is a carnivore and should be given meaty food. The Scott's Velvet Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.