Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus Lineatus)

Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lineatus)

The Lineatus Fairy Wrasse is widely considered the "King" of the fairy wrasses. Originating from the deep reef slopes of the Coral Sea and New Caledonia, it is one of the most sought-after and expensive wrasses in the hobby. Its name comes from the intricate, neon-blue horizontal lines that run the length of its body, creating a "cyberpunk" aesthetic that is unparalleled in the marine world.

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Key Information

• Common Names: Lineatus Fairy Wrasse, Lined Fairy Wrasse

• Scientific Name: Cirrhilabrus lineatus

• Origin: Western Pacific (Coral Sea and New Caledonia)

• Max Size: 12 cm (approx. 4.7 inches)

• Lifespan: 5–8 years

• Temperament: Peaceful; can be assertive with other wrasses

• Diet: Carnivore – Planktonivore

• Care Level: Moderate (mainly due to price and jumping risk)

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Appearance & Identification

The Lineatus is a masterpiece of biological "neon" art:

• The "Lines": The body is a rich lavender-to-pink base, etched with numerous electric blue horizontal lines.

• The Mask: The head is a contrasting golden-yellow to orange, featuring intricate blue scrolls around the eyes.

• The Fins: The dorsal and anal fins are broad and decorated with metallic blue edges and yellow patterns.

• The "Flasher" Mode: During courtship, the male's colors intensify to an almost blinding degree, and the tail fin (caudal) often shows a stunning "spotted" metallic pattern.

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Behaviour & Tank Compatibility

• Peaceful Majesty: Despite being one of the larger fairy wrasses, they are generally peaceful. They will spend their day cruising the mid-to-upper water column.

• Wrasse Social Ladder: If keeping multiple Cirrhilabrus species, the Lineatus is often the "alpha." Because of its size and confidence, it should usually be introduced after more timid fairy wrasses to avoid territory disputes.

• Reef Safe: 100% Reef Safe. They will never touch corals, clams, or ornamental shrimp.

• Intelligence: They are very "aware" fish. They will quickly learn to recognize their owner and the feeding pipette/tongs.

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Ideal Tank Setup

• Tank Size: A minimum of 340L (90 Gallons). They are powerful, active swimmers that need plenty of open "runway" space.

• Lid is MANDATORY: I cannot stress this enough. The Lineatus is an elite jumper. Because they are expensive and skittish, losing one to "carpet surfing" is a heartbreak for any hobbyist. Use a tight-fitting 1/4" mesh lid.

• Rockwork: Provide plenty of caves and "overhangs." Since they are a deep-water species, they appreciate having shaded areas to retreat to if the aquarium lights are very intense.

• Feeding: Like the Hooded Fairy Wrasse, they have high metabolisms. Feed 2–3 times daily with high-quality frozen mysis, krill, and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp.

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Why Choose the Lineatus Fairy Wrasse?

The Lineatus is for the collector—the hobbyist who wants the absolute best the ocean has to offer. It is a hardy fish once acclimated, but its high price point means it is usually reserved for mature, well-protected reef systems.