Yellow Flanked Fairy Wrasse

The Yellow Flanked Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus ryukyuensis) is a colorful and active reef fish known for its beautiful mix of blue, green, yellow, pink, and orange coloration. Its distinctive yellow-to-pink patch along the sides gives this species its name, while mature males can become especially vibrant when displaying.

Peaceful, reef safe, and constantly active, the Yellow Flanked Fairy Wrasse is an excellent addition to an established community reef aquarium.

🔵 Conditioned & Prepared – Actively Eating

Quick Facts

• Care Level: Moderate
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Reef Compatibility: Reef Safe
• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
• Size: Up to approximately 4–5 inches
• Scientific Name: Cirrhilabrus ryukyuensis

What Makes This Fish Special?

The Yellow Flanked Fairy Wrasse stands out for the colorful patch along its sides, which can range from bright yellow to pink depending on the individual, maturity, and coloration of the fish.

Mature males can develop especially impressive coloration, with their colors becoming even more intense during social and courtship displays.

Like other fairy wrasses, this species spends much of its day actively swimming through the water column, making it an excellent fish for adding both movement and color to a reef display.

Behavior & Husbandry

Yellow Flanked Fairy Wrasses are active swimmers that appreciate plenty of open swimming space combined with rockwork, caves, and crevices for shelter.

They are generally peaceful toward unrelated reef fish and can often be maintained with other appropriately selected fairy and flasher wrasses. Some territorial behavior can occur between males or similarly colored wrasses.

A secure, tightly fitting aquarium lid is essential, as fairy wrasses are excellent jumpers.

Unlike sand-sleeping wrasses, fairy wrasses retreat into rockwork at night and do not require a sand bed for sleeping.

Feeding & Diet

Carnivorous and generally adapts readily to prepared foods.

What We Feed at Lush Corals:

• Frozen mysis shrimp
• Enriched brine shrimp
• High-quality pellets
• Other appropriately sized frozen foods

In Your Aquarium:

• Frozen mysis
• Enriched brine shrimp
• High-quality pellets
• Other small meaty marine foods

Multiple smaller feedings throughout the day are beneficial for maintaining good body condition and vibrant coloration.

Compatibility Notes

Compatible with:

• Clownfish
• Gobies
• Blennies
• Tangs
• Cardinals
• Other peaceful reef fish
• Appropriately selected fairy and flasher wrasses
• Corals and reef invertebrates

Use caution when housing with:

• Other male fairy wrasses with similar coloration
• Highly aggressive fish
• Large predatory tankmates

A secure aquarium lid is strongly recommended at all times.

Lush Corals Conditioning Process

This fish has been carefully conditioned and prepared prior to sale.

Each fish is:

• Carefully inspected upon arrival
• Proactively dipped and treated
• Observed for health and behavior
• Conditioned to eat prepared foods
• Evaluated to ensure a strong feeding response

This helps ensure your fish arrives healthy, feeding, and well-adjusted, giving you a strong start in your aquarium.