Yellow-Flanked Fairy Wrasse

Overview

The Yellow-Flanked Fairy Wrasse is a compact, colourful fairy wrasse with a soft pink-to-orange body offset by a bright yellow band along the flank, considered one of the hardier and more affordable species within the Cirrhilabrus group. It's a popular introduction to fairy wrasses for keepers wanting reliable colour and peaceful temperament.

It tends to acclimate and feed confidently, making it a solid choice for both new and experienced reef keepers wanting a low-maintenance, attractive addition to the middle and upper water column.

As with other fairy wrasses, males display their brightest colours during courtship or territorial encounters, adding extra visual interest for keepers who provide the right social setup.

Compatibility

Yellow-Flanked Fairy Wrasses are peaceful and fully reef safe, ignoring corals and invertebrates. They can be kept singly or, in a large enough tank, as one male with several females, though two males in a smaller system may show aggressive displays toward each other.

They mix well with other peaceful to semi-aggressive community fish and are rarely bullied given their alert, quick-swimming nature.

Health & quarantine

This is one of the hardier fairy wrasses available, generally acclimating and feeding well with minimal issues. A minimum four-week quarantine is still recommended good practice, and like most wrasses it's a capable jumper, so a secure lid is essential.