Description

Yellow-Flanked Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lyukyuensis) – Description & Care Guide

🌈 Common Names:

• Yellow-Flanked Fairy Wrasse

• Yellow Sided Fairy Wrasse

• Lyukyu Fairy Wrasse

🐟 Description:

• Scientific Name: Cirrhilabrus lyukyuensis

• Origin: Western Pacific – most commonly around Japan, Taiwan, and the Ryukyu Islands

• Size: Up to 4 inches (10 cm)

• Coloration:

  • Males: Striking with vibrant shades of pink to lavender bodies, bright yellow flanks, and deep red or purple highlights. Color intensifies during courtship or in dominance.

  • Females/Juveniles: More subdued, usually peach to light pink with faint yellow flanks.

• Sexual Dimorphism: Yes – males are more colorful and slightly larger. All start as females and can change sex if needed.

🏝️ Tank Requirements:

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons (208 liters) for a single specimen; 75+ gallons for groups

• Aquascape:

  • Open swimming space

  • Plenty of live rock for hiding and foraging

  • Sand substrate preferred (they may dive into it when startled)

• Reef Safe: ✅ Yes – ideal for reef tanks

🧪 Water Parameters:

🍽️ Diet:

• Feeding Frequency: 2–3 times per day

• Diet Type: Carnivorous

• Foods:

  • Mysis shrimp

  • Copepods

  • Frozen cyclops

  • High-quality marine pellets or flakes

  • Finely chopped seafood or enriched brine shrimp

💡 Wrasses are active feeders and benefit from variety and enrichment in their diet.

⚠️ Behavior & Compatibility:

• Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive

• Best Kept:

  • Singly or in female-to-male harems (1 male to 2–4 females)

  • Do not mix with other Cirrhilabrus species unless in a large tank (>100 gal)

• Compatible Tank Mates:

  • Clownfish, gobies, chromis, tangs, and other peaceful reef-safe fish

  • Avoid aggressive wrasses or large predators

• Jump Risk: EXTREME — must have a tight-fitting lid

🧠 Special Notes:

• Coloration in males improves dramatically under quality lighting and when housed with females

• Wrasses may sleep in sand or crevices at night — don’t panic if you don’t see them for a while

• Can be sensitive during acclimation — use a drip acclimation method