Bluehead Fairy Wrasse

The Bluehead Fairy Wrasse is a hardy and attractively colored fairy wrasse widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific. Males are distinguished by a vivid blue head that transitions into a body displaying hues of red, purple, and yellow along the flanks. During courtship displays, males intensify these colors dramatically, with the blue on the head becoming electric and the body taking on deeper reds and purples. Females are more modestly colored, typically showing soft pink to lavender tones with subtle fin accents.

In the wild, Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura is found across a broad range of the Indo-Pacific, from the waters of Malaysia and Indonesia through the Philippines and into the broader Western Pacific. It inhabits the outer edges of coral reefs and rubble slopes at moderate depths, typically between 10 and 35 meters. Males maintain harems of several females and perform elaborate courtship displays throughout the day, with peak activity in the late afternoon hours. This species is commonly encountered in groups near reef drop-offs where currents bring plankton.

The Bluehead Fairy Wrasse is considered one of the hardier fairy wrasse species, making it an excellent choice for intermediate-level aquarists looking to keep their first Cirrhilabrus. It adapts readily to captive foods and is completely reef-safe, posing no threat to corals or invertebrates. A tight-fitting lid is essential as all fairy wrasses are notorious jumpers. The species thrives in aquariums of 75 gallons or larger with moderate water flow and ample open swimming space. It can be kept singly, in pairs, or in small harems in larger systems where the male's display behavior makes for a captivating show.