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Scott's fairy wrasse is a Cook Islands endemic with stunning emerald green body, red highlights, and yellow accents. One of the most expensive fairy wrasses due to limited collection from remote Pacific islands. Reserved for keepers willing to invest in a showpiece specimen.
Native range: Western Pacific (Cook Islands, Polynesia). Wrasses (family Labridae) are one of the most diverse and successful fish families on coral reefs — approximately 600 described species worldwide, of which 40-60 are commonly available in the marine aquarium trade. The Scott's Fairy Wrasse is part of the Wrasse (Labridae) - Fairy wrasse grouping, characterized by elongated body shape, terminal-phase sex change (most species), and active reef-grazing or pest-control behavior.
Tank size: 90 gallons. Sand substrate is non-negotiable for sand-sleeping wrasse genera (Halichoeres, Macropharyngodon, Anampses) — 2-3 inches of fine pool-filter sand minimum. Rockwork should provide multiple cave entrances and tight crevices the fish can wedge into for sleeping or escape. Lid: tight-fitting, gap-free. Wrasses are the second-most-common jumping casualties in reef tanks after gobies — a single 1cm gap is enough.
Flow: moderate to moderately strong is preferred by most wrasses — they evolved on current-swept reefs. Lighting: standard reef LED works for all wrasses; the fish itself does not require special spectrum.
Carnivore — mysis, copepods, pellets. Most wrasses have very high metabolic rates and need 2-3 feedings daily. Skipping feedings during business travel or vacations leads to rapid condition loss — schedule automatic feeders or vendor-trusted tank-sitters for extended absences.
Safe: Reef-safe community.
Avoid: Other Cirrhilabrus males.
Not captive bred. Most wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites — born female, transition to male as they reach social dominance in a group. Tank breeding of wrasses is rare due to the complex behaviors and pelagic egg-laying that resists captive replication.
Shipping stress mortality; high acquisition cost; jumping.
Typically $300-800 in US trade. Premium specimens with full color can exceed $1,500.
Limited collection from remote Cook Islands. Long supply chain. High demand from collectors.
Moderately — once acclimated. Shipping stress is the biggest survival factor.
US specialty marine wholesalers and collector-focused retailers. Often special-order or waitlist only.
Fast Aquatics vendors ship live marine fish overnight to all 50 US states with carrier-tracked Buyer Protection.
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