Bluehead Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus Cyanopleura)

Species Name : Cirrhilabrus Cyanopleura

Care Level : Easy

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Blue, Red, White

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : Yes

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 5"

Origin : Western Pacific

Family : Labridae

Minimum Tank Size : 80 gallons

The Bluehead Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus Cyanopleura) varies in coloration and color pattern depending on their area of origin. Due to these color variations, they are known by several common names including: Bluehead Fairy Wrasse, Yellowflanked Fairy Wrasse and Blue Sided Fairy Wrasse.

The Bluehead Fairy Wrasse is one of the most stunning of all the wrasses. Bluehead Fairy Wrasses have long slender red and blue bodies covered in a rainbow of colors. More often than not Bluehead Fairy Wrasses will vary greatly from one another in coloration.

The Bluehead Fairy Wrasse is an ideal fish for the reef aquarium adding both bright coloration and activity to these aquariums.

The Cirrhilabrus Cyanopleura is best kept in a tank of at least 80 gallons with plenty of live rock hiding places and a sandy substrate. Lids should be tightly sealed to prevent potential escapes. They prefer to have a 2-inch (5 cm) sand pad so they can burrow into the sand to sleep or when they feel threatened.

Only one male should be housed per aquarium. Multiple females can be housed together, with or without a male, in a community tank. Males may lose color if females are not present.

While the Bluehead Fairy Wrasse is a peaceful Wrasse species, they will show aggression towards other Wrasse species. This is a reef safe Wrasse species that will not harm corals or sessile invertebrates. Wrasse of the genus Cirrhilabrus mix well together if they are introduced simultaneously to the tank, and are one of the best groups of fish for a reef tank setting.

The Bluehead Fairy Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food. Ideally it is best to feed 2 to 3 smaller meals throughout the day, an amount that the fish will consume within a few minutes.

Size: Small: 1-1/4" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3"; Large: 3" to 4"; XLarge: Larger than 4"