Yellow-Flanked Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus ryukyuensis)

The Yellow-Flanked Fairy Wrasse is a vibrant and active species known for its stunning coloration and peaceful temperament, making it a favorite among reef aquarists. This wrasse displays a blend of pink to red hues with a distinctive yellow band along its flanks, creating a vivid contrast that makes it stand out in any aquarium. The Yellow-Flanked Fairy Wrasse is generally hardy and adaptable, though it requires a secure lid due to its jumping tendency and a spacious tank with plenty of open swimming space and rockwork for exploration.

Care Information

• Maximum Size: Up to 4 inches.
• Tank Size: 50 gallons minimum; a tank with ample swimming space and rockwork is recommended to encourage natural behavior.
• Diet: Carnivorous; primarily feeds on small meaty foods, such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood. A varied diet with high-quality frozen and pellet foods will help maintain its health and coloration.
• Water Temp: 72-78°F.
• Salinity: 1.020-1.025.
• Aggression: Peaceful; generally well-suited to community tanks but may show mild territorial behavior with other wrasses in smaller setups.
• Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate; hardy and easy to care for, making it suitable for aquarists of all levels.
• Reef Compatibility: Reef-safe; does not harm corals or invertebrates, making it an excellent addition to reef setups.

Special Requirements - Lid and Swimming Space
The Yellow-Flanked Fairy Wrasse is known to jump, so a secure, tightly fitted lid is essential. This wrasse is active and enjoys open water swimming, so a tank with ample swimming space and a few rock structures for hiding and exploring will help it thrive.

Compatibility
This wrasse is peaceful and compatible with other tankmates in a reef setting, provided they are non-aggressive. It may show mild territoriality toward other wrasses, so keeping it with other species in a spacious tank helps reduce this behavior.

Coloration

• Western Pacific Region: The Yellow-Flanked Fairy Wrasse features a range of pink to red body hues with a distinctive yellow stripe along its flanks, adding a vibrant touch to any tank​.

Typical Habitat

• Distribution: Found in the Western Pacific, especially around reefs with plenty of rocky cover and open water for swimming. This species thrives in reef environments, where it can forage for small invertebrates in the water column.