Blue Sided Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus Cyanopleura)
Also Known As: Bluehead Fairy Wrasse
Compatibility and Behavior The Blue Sided Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura) is a peaceful, reef-safe species that brings constant motion and shifting color to established reef aquariums. Males typically display a rich reddish to magenta body with a vivid blue side and head. One thing worth knowing before you order: coloration in this species can vary meaningfully depending on locale, age, and even mood, so expect some individual variation in the fish you receive.
There's also an interesting taxonomic wrinkle with this species. The Blue Sided Fairy Wrasse and the Yellow Flanked Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lyukyuensis) have long been confused with one another, and it has been suggested the two may actually be the same species, differing only in coloration based on collection location. In practice, hobbyists often use the distinctive yellow to orange patch behind the pectoral fins as the key differentiator for C. lyukyuensis. It's a nuance worth appreciating if you're building a collection of fairy wrasses.
Compatibility-wise, this is a straightforward community fish — reef safe with corals and clams, and generally a good neighbor to other peaceful fish and fairy or flasher wrasses when given adequate space and places to retreat.
Aquarium Requirements A mature reef of 55 gallons or larger with open mid-water swimming space and complex rockwork — ledges, caves, branching structures, shaded retreats — is the right setup here. This species doesn't bury in sand, so substrate depth isn't a factor, but aquascape complexity matters for its sense of security and nighttime resting. A tight-fitting lid is essential; fairy wrasses jump, particularly during social interactions or when chased by more assertive tankmates. Moderate to strong, varied flow suits it well, and a varied diet of mysis, enriched brine shrimp, and finely chopped meaty foods offered once or twice daily keeps it active and its colors at their best.
Specifications
Approximate Size: 1.5-3.5"
Diet: Carnivore; zooplankton, mysis, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped meaty foods
Origin: Western Pacific
Care Level: Moderate
Reef Safe: Yes
Temperament: Peaceful; may be intimidated by aggressive or much larger tankmates
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Special Considerations: Tight-fitting lid essential; no sand bed required; coloration and patterning vary with locality, age, and mood
Pairs well with
Blue Sided Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus Cyanopleura)
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Shipping Information
- Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday. Orders will be shipped overnight on the soonest possible shipping day, unless you request to hold the order for up to one business day.
- Your order will ship same-day if placed before 12:30 PM PST on a shipping day.
- Orders placed after 12:30 PM PST will ship on the next shipping day.
- Stay tuned to our Announcement Bar (black bar at the top of every page) for important shipping announcements...we may reach our max limit of orders we can ship on Mondays.
- If it is very hot, very cold, or if you live in a rural area, ship to a UPS Access Point to save your livestock from hours of exposure to the elements. Click here to see how.
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FAQ’s
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.
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Contact Us
Send us an email at sales@reefbeauties.com and we will get back to you shortly.
We do not offer phone calls. We handle our inquiries with timely emails to ensure a qualified and high-quality response, to have all conversations on record, and to avoid miscommunications that can occur over the phone.
Free shipping on orders over $199!
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if FedEx is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a FedEx Ship Center, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.