Wrasse – Pixie

Pixie Wrasse Care Tips:

Minimum Tank Size:  80 Gallons

Max Size: Up to 15cm (6″)

Diet: Carnivore

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Lifespan: Up to 10 years

Scientific Name: Coris Pictoides

Other Common Names: Pixie Rainbow Wrasse, Pixie Coris Wrasse, Black-striped Wrasse

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: No

Approx. Purchase Size:  2-3 inches

The pixie wrasse, scientific name Coris Pictoides is a semi-aggressive fish. Their minimum tank size is 80 gallons. Pixie wrasses can grow up to 6” and can live up to 10 years. Pixie wrasses are carnivores and should be fed frozen meaty foods such as brine or mysis shrimp. Pixie wrasses are pod eaters and will hunt continuously for small pods found in the aquarium. Pixie wrasses can be trained to eat frozen foods but will be healthier and happier in a tank where they can hunt live food as well. They should be kept singly, in mated pairs or small herums with one male and multiple females. Keeping multiple of the same species requires adequate space and rockwork. All pixie wrasses start as females, if there is multiple kept together and no male is present, the dominant female will turn into a male. Pixie wrasses can be kept with other wrasses. Pixie wrasses are reef safe with caution, they will not bother coral. They may prey upon crustaceans when they are fully mature but as juveniles they will not bother invertebrates. Pixie wrasses dive into the sand to sleep at night and will not do well in a tank without sand, the sand bed should be thick enough to completely cover them, atleast 2-3”. During the day they will be swimming throughout the tank. Wrasses are known for jumping and require a tight fighting lid. The pixie wrasse is also referred to as the pixie rainbow wrasse, the pixie coris wrasse or the black-striped wrasse. Pixie wrasses will change appearance from juveniles to adults.