Yellow Flanked Fairy Wrasse

The Yellow Flanked Fairy Wrasse is a vibrant, active reef-safe fish known for its beautiful coloration and peaceful nature. Native to the Western Pacific, this wrasse displays a mix of iridescent pinks, purples, and oranges, with striking yellow flanks that give it its name. Males tend to develop more intense coloration, especially when courting or displaying dominance.

This species does well in reef aquariums of at least 70–90 gallons, where it can swim freely and retreat into rockwork or crevices when needed. Like many fairy wrasses, it’s prone to jumping, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

The Yellow Flanked Fairy Wrasse is reef-safe and will not harm corals or invertebrates, making it an ideal addition to peaceful reef communities. While generally docile, males may show aggression toward other wrasses, so it’s best to keep only one male per tank, or maintain a harem with a single male and multiple females.

A varied carnivorous diet will help maintain this wrasse’s vibrant colors and energy. Offer a mix of enriched frozen foods like mysis and brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and high-quality marine pellets and flakes.