All fish / Labridae

Yellowflank Fairy Wrasse

Cirrhilabrus lyukyuensis

Also known as yellow-flanked fairy wrasse, yellowflank fairy wrasse, ryukyu fairy wrasse, lyukyu fairy wrasse, ryukyuensis fairy wrasse, yellow flanked wrasse, cirrhilabrus ryukyuensis, ツキノワイトヒキベラ, 琉球丝隆头鱼, 琉球仙女

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This slender reef wrasse has a blue to purple back, a yellow band along the flanks and a pinkish red belly. Males are brighter and show off with a larger dorsal fin when displaying. Aquarists keep it because it is colourful and active, it is safe with corals and invertebrates, and it gets along with other peaceful fish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

One male with one or more females; only one male per tank

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped seafood and quality marine pellets, fed several times a day

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: southern Japan (Ryukyu Islands), Taiwan, Philippines and Indonesia

Breeding

These fish change sex from female to male (protogynous hermaphrodites). Pairs spawn in open water at dusk and release eggs that float, so the larvae are planktonic. Rearing the young in home aquariums is very rare.

Good to know

These wrasses jump, so the tank needs a tight-fitting lid. Two males in the same tank will fight. They are sometimes confused with C. cyanopleura and C. solorensis, which look similar.