Blue-scaled Fairy Wrasse
Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura
Also known as: Blueside Wrasse, Yellow-flanked Wrasse
A roving reef wrasse that brings shimmering blue flanks to the open water column.
About
The blue-scaled fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura) is a mid-sized labrid spread across a wide sweep of the Indo-West Pacific, from the Andaman Sea and Similan Islands east through the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Palau, and down to Christmas Island and the Rowley Shoals, with populations also recorded around Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands. Males display vivid blue scaling along the sides that shifts in tone depending on light angle, while females and juveniles are considerably more subdued. Typical of the genus. In the wild, this species forms loose aggregations just a metre or two above coral and rocky substrates along lagoon edges, channel walls, and outer reef slopes, where it picks zooplankton drifting through the water column. Groups can swell into larger schools under the right conditions. In the aquarium, that active, open-water lifestyle means it genuinely needs horizontal swimming room, so a tank on the larger side is appropriate. This is a peaceful wrasse that does well in a reef setting alongside similarly tempered fish, though a single dominant male per tank is the sensible approach. Intermediate-level keepers comfortable with reef husbandry will find it a rewarding and relatively manageable species.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Blue-scaled Fairy Wrasse
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Blue-scaled Fairy Wrasse get?
- The Blue-scaled Fairy Wrasse reaches about 3.5–6" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Blue-scaled Fairy Wrasse need?
- A minimum of 90 gallons is recommended for the Blue-scaled Fairy Wrasse.
- What water parameters does the Blue-scaled Fairy Wrasse need?
- The Blue-scaled Fairy Wrasse does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.
- Is the Blue-scaled Fairy Wrasse aggressive?
- The Blue-scaled Fairy Wrasse is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Blue-scaled Fairy Wrasse eat?
- The Blue-scaled Fairy Wrasse is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Blue-scaled Fairy Wrasse live?
- With good care, the Blue-scaled Fairy Wrasse typically lives 2-3 years.
- Is the Blue-scaled Fairy Wrasse reef safe?
- The Blue-scaled Fairy Wrasse is generally considered reef safe.