{"product_id":"blueside-fairy-wrasse-male","title":"Blueside Fairy Wrasse - Male","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe male Blueside Fairy Wrasse, \u003cem\u003eCirrhilabrus cyanopleura\u003c\/em\u003e, is a brilliantly colored saltwater fish prized for its vivid contrast and graceful, constant movement in the water column. Mature males display an eye-catching blend of pink, red, yellow, and violet tones, highlighted by the species’ characteristic blue coloration along the sides. Under reef aquarium lighting, those colors become even more striking, especially when the fish is actively displaying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the Indo-West Pacific, this species inhabits reef slopes, lagoon edges, and coral-rich areas where it feeds on zooplankton above the reef. In the aquarium, the male Blueside Fairy Wrasse brings both color and activity to a peaceful marine community. Its manageable adult size, reef-safe nature, and elegant display behavior make it a highly desirable choice for established reef aquariums and peaceful fish-only aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to Moderate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75 gallons\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carnivore \/ Planktivore\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Indo-West Pacific\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eCirrhilabrus cyanopleura\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTank Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blueside Fairy Wrasse should be housed in an established marine aquarium with a combination of open swimming space and secure rockwork. A 75-gallon or larger aquarium provides suitable long-term room for its adult size and active swimming behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArrange live rock to create caves, overhangs, and narrow crevices where the fish can retreat when startled and rest at night. Unlike sand-burying wrasses, this species typically seeks shelter within rockwork rather than the substrate, so a deep sand bed is not required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerate water movement, strong oxygenation, efficient filtration, and stable water quality are ideal. A tightly fitted mesh or solid lid is essential, as fairy wrasses are excellent jumpers and can escape through very small openings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet and Feeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blueside Fairy Wrasse is primarily a planktivore and naturally feeds on small crustaceans and zooplankton suspended in the water column.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffer a varied diet of mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped marine seafood, quality frozen plankton blends, and appropriately sized marine pellets. Foods that remain suspended in the water help encourage natural feeding behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo to three smaller feedings per day are ideal when possible. A mature aquarium with naturally occurring copepods and other microfauna can provide additional feeding opportunities between prepared meals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Tankmates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe male Blueside Fairy Wrasse is generally peaceful and mixes well with a wide range of non-aggressive marine fish. Suitable tankmates include clownfish, gobies, blennies, cardinalfish, anthias, peaceful tangs, and other community-oriented species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMales may display toward other fairy wrasses, particularly similarly colored or shaped species. In sufficiently spacious aquariums, multiple fairy wrasses can be maintained successfully with careful species selection and introduction order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid housing this fish with aggressive tankmates that may intimidate it, outcompete it for food, or prevent it from swimming openly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReef Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blueside Fairy Wrasse is considered \u003cstrong\u003ereef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e and is an excellent choice for coral-dominated reef aquariums. It does not normally nip or damage healthy corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also generally compatible with ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, clams, and other common reef invertebrates. Like many planktivorous wrasses, it may consume tiny naturally occurring copepods and other microcrustaceans as part of its normal diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–80°F\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecific Gravity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.024–1.026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlkalinity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–12 dKH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStable conditions are more important than chasing exact numbers. Maintain consistent salinity and temperature along with good oxygenation, dependable filtration, and regular aquarium maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Considerations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExceptional jumping risk:\u003c\/strong\u003e A tightly fitted lid or mesh cover is essential, including around plumbing and equipment openings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMale coloration is more intense:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mature males display the strongest blue, pink, red, and yellow tones, especially when displaying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo deep sand bed required:\u003c\/strong\u003e This species normally shelters within rockwork rather than burying in the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequent feeding preferred:\u003c\/strong\u003e Multiple smaller meals of planktonic and protein-rich foods help maintain healthy body condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeaceful but active:\u003c\/strong\u003e Best kept with other non-aggressive species that will not bully or outcompete it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"TSA Fish","offers":[{"title":"M","offer_id":52414677745962,"sku":"WRASSExBluesidM","price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"ML","offer_id":52414677778730,"sku":"WRASSExBluesidML","price":95.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"L","offer_id":52414677811498,"sku":"WRASSExBluesidL","price":110.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"XL","offer_id":52414677844266,"sku":"WRASSExBluesidX","price":116.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/MaleBlueside_f34aac22-140e-495b-a553-51ef0187655c.png?v=1787867053","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/blueside-fairy-wrasse-male","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}