The Blue-sided Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura), is also known as the Velvet Wrasse, or Blue-scaled Fairy Wrasse, is a popular and colorful saltwater fish species that can be a great addition to any reef or community aquarium. Male Blue Sided Fairy Wrasse will be red and have a deep blue area above the pectoral fin, while the female Blue Sided Fairy Wrasse will be a light red on the upper back side with a large light purplish area above the pectoral fin. Here are some tips on how to care for Blue-sided Fairy Wrasse.
Blue-sided Fairy Wrasse requires a minimum tank size of 30 gallons (113 liters) for a single fish. For a group of these fish, you should increase the tank size accordingly.
The Blue-sided Fairy Wrasse prefers a temperature range of 75-80°F (24-27°C) and a pH range of 8.1-8.4. They also require good water quality, so regular water changes and proper filtration are important.
Blue-sided Fairy Wrasse are carnivores and require a varied diet that includes frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and chopped seafood. You should feed them small amounts several times a day rather than one large feeding.
Blue-sided Fairy Wrasse are generally peaceful and can be kept with other non-aggressive fish species. However, you should avoid keeping them with aggressive fish or fish that are larger than them.
Provide plenty of hiding places and rock structures in the aquarium. These fish like to hide in caves and crevices, so make sure to provide them with enough hiding spots.
Blue-sided Fairy Wrasse require moderate to high lighting levels. LED lights are a good option as they provide the right spectrum of light for coral growth and fish coloration.
These fish are active swimmers and love to explore their environment. They are not territorial and will often swim in schools.
Overall, the Blue-sided Fairy Wrasse is a relatively easy fish to care for, and its beautiful coloration and interesting behavior make it a great addition to any saltwater aquarium.