Wild Cirrhilabrus flavidorsalis is a zooplankton feeder, picking small drifting prey from the water column above the reef. In the aquarium, build the menu around finely sized meaty items: mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, copepods, Cyclops, krill, and chopped shrimp, squid, clam, mussel, or fish flesh. Most individuals also learn to take quality flake and pellet foods, which helps round out a varied carnivorous diet.

Feeding response is typically prompt once the fish has settled, and acclimation is usually straightforward with reliable small offerings. Because a fish of this size has limited gut capacity and a plankton-picking metabolism, divide the ration into small portions delivered two to three times daily rather than one heavy meal. Frequent small feedings also draw a newly introduced, cautious specimen out of the rockwork.

This is a peaceful fairy wrasse well suited to communities of non-aggressive marine fishes. Wild individuals occur in aggregations, and in captivity the species does well as a harem of one male with several females. Keep only a single male unless the system is genuinely spacious and the stocking plan is carefully worked out, as males will challenge other fairy wrasses and competing zooplankton feeders. Expect a new arrival to hide for several days before it establishes a routine, and expect it to dart for a crevice whenever something startles it, so abundant retreats are important. Aggressive or fin-nipping tankmates raise stress and increase the likelihood of a jump.

In a reef aquarium it is reef safe, showing no interest in stony or soft corals or their polyps. Compatibility with most ornamental invertebrates is good, though fairy wrasses have been observed picking at very small crustaceans; delicate shrimp such as Sexy Shrimp should be considered at some risk. Snails, larger cleaner shrimp, and established corals are typically left alone, making this an easy addition to a mixed reef with peaceful fish.