Yellow Fin Fairy Wrasse - Cirrhilabrus flavidorsalis

Yellow Fin Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus flavidorsalis)

The Yellow Fin Fairy Wrasse, Cirrhilabrus flavidorsalis, is a colourful and peaceful marine wrasse, admired for its bright yellow fin highlights, pink to reddish body tones and active mid-water swimming behaviour. Also known as the Yellowfin Fairy Wrasse or Millennium Wrasse, this smaller Cirrhilabrus species is well suited to mature reef aquariums where it adds colour, movement and personality without disturbing corals. It is a beautiful choice for peaceful marine communities, especially when kept with calm tank mates and provided with a secure covered aquarium.

Common Name:
Yellow Fin Fairy Wrasse, Yellowfin Fairy Wrasse, Yellow-Fin Fairy Wrasse, Millennium Wrasse, Fairy Wrasse.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Cirrhilabrus flavidorsalis

Maximum Size:
Around 6.5–7 cm, making it one of the smaller and more manageable fairy wrasse species.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found in the Western Central Pacific, including eastern Indonesia from northeast Kalimantan and Bali to West Papua, Malaysia around Sabah, and the Philippines. In the wild, Yellow Fin Fairy Wrasse are associated with protected coral and rubble slopes, often around finely branching corals and reef structure. They are usually found in small groups or loose aggregations, swimming above the reef and retreating quickly into cover if threatened.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025

Temperament:
Peaceful. Yellow Fin Fairy Wrasse are generally suitable for reef communities with other peaceful to moderately active marine fish. They should not be housed with aggressive wrasses, predatory fish or overly boisterous tank mates that may intimidate them. Males may show display behaviour towards other fairy wrasses, especially similar-looking species, so mixing should be done carefully in suitably sized aquariums.

Diet:
Carnivorous planktivore. In the aquarium, offer a varied diet of frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brineshrimp, cyclops, copepod-based foods, finely chopped meaty marine foods and high-quality small marine pellets. Smaller, regular feeds are ideal, as fairy wrasses are active fish with a naturally high feeding response. A varied diet will help maintain colour, condition and natural display behaviour.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical minimum of around 200 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred if mixing with other wrasses or keeping a small group. Provide open swimming space, mature rockwork and several secure hiding places.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active mid-water swimmer that spends much of the day moving through open water above the rockwork, picking at small suspended foods. It may retreat rapidly into rockwork when startled and can be shy during the first few days after introduction. Once settled, it usually becomes much more confident and visible. Males can show stronger colour and display behaviour, especially when comfortable and well conditioned. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as fairy wrasses are well known for jumping.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
Yellow Fin Fairy Wrasse are considered reef safe and do not normally nip corals, clam mantles or sessile invertebrates. They are an excellent choice for peaceful reef aquariums, although very tiny ornamental crustaceans may always carry some risk with small carnivorous wrasses.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, stable marine aquarium with peaceful tank mates, plenty of rockwork and a secure lid. Unlike sand-sleeping wrasses from genera such as Halichoeres or Macropharyngodon, fairy wrasses usually sleep within rockwork or mucus cocoons rather than needing a sand bed to bury. Avoid aggressive wrasses and very competitive feeders while the fish is settling. Male colouration can vary depending on mood, maturity, dominance and stress level.

Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Occasionally available in the marine aquarium trade / Availability can vary depending on collection, import, sex and supplier

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.