Blue-Sided Fairy Wrasse

Pre-Quarantined for 30 Days! Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura The male yellow-flanked or blue-headed fairy wrasse (the two names refer to different color morphs) is a magnificent fish, but this species is often overlooked by fishkeepers. It is one of the largest Cirrhilabrus species, growing to 6 inches, and also one of the boldest, spending almost all of its time out in open water, often close to the surface. Despite one of its common names, the head is more often green than blue, although to be fair some blue is often seen suffusing the green. The rear two-thirds of the body are orange to red, but the scales are outlined in purple. The belly is white. Some individuals have a bright yellow blotch just behind the pectoral fins—the common name of yellow-flanked fairy wrasse derives from this color morph, which was previously considered to be a separate species, C. lyukyuensis. This is a species that seems to improve in the intensity of its coloration as it matures in the aquarium. It is one of the more aggressive fairy wrasses, and this, combined with its relatively large size and active nature, means it is best kept in quite large tanks—at least 4 feet long and preferably larger. It has a wide geographic range across the eastern Indian and West Pacific Oceans, from the Andaman Sea to the Great Barrier Reef, and North to the Ryukyu Islands. Care Level - Easy Temperament - Peaceful Color Form - Blue, Orange, Red Diet - Carnivore Reef Compatible - Yes Water Conditions - 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025 Max. Size - 5" Family - Labridae Minimum Tank Size - 90 gallons