Blue throat fairy wrasse, also known as Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura, are stunning fish that add a pop of color to reef aquariums. With their vibrant blue throats and yellow bodies, they stand out in contrast to the corals and other tank inhabitants. But beauty alone doesn’t make a fish reef safe. Keepers need to consider the diet, behavior, and care requirements of any fish before adding it to a reef tank.
Diet
Diet plays a major role in determining whether or not a fish will harm corals and other invertebrates in a reef tank. Carnivores pose more of a risk than herbivores or omnivores. So what do blue throat fairy wrasse eat in the wild and in captivity?
In their natural habitat on coral reefs in the Pacific Ocean, blue throat fairy wrasse are primarily carnivores. They feed on tiny crustaceans like copepods as well as zooplankton. While copepods and zooplankton are present in reef tanks too, they usually aren’t abundant enough to sustain a blue throat fairy wrasse. This is why most fishkeepers need to supplement their diet with prepared frozen and freeze-dried foods.
The good news is that blue throat fairy wrasse can be trained to accept a wide variety of meaty frozen and freeze-dried offerings including:
- Mysis shrimp
- Brine shrimp
- Mini krill
- Copepods
- Cyclops
- Spirulina
- Marine flakes
- Carnivore pellets or tablets
As long as they are provided a varied carnivorous diet, they typically ignore corals, clams, shrimp, and other reef tank residents. It is still smart to feed them well before lights out to discourage any nighttime nibbling though.
Behavior
In addition to diet, behavior also determines how suitable a fish is for reef life. Territorial or aggressive species are more likely to harm corals and other organisms than peaceful community fish.
Blue throat fairy wrasse are peaceful and relatively low aggression. They may skirmish with other fairy wrasse over territory, but rarely do any real damage. Within a properly stocked tank, they get along well with most tank mates. They will largely ignore corals and other sessile invertebrates.
Being active swimmers, they do appreciate having an area they can claim as their own territory. This is why it is ideal to provide plenty of rocky caves, overhangs, and obscured sight lines when keeping them. With sufficient shelter, they happily set up a territory and spend their days flitting between hiding places.
Male blue throat fairy wrasse do exhibit mating displays to females and establish a hierarchy among themselves. This involves some chasing and showing off. But again, outright aggression or violence is uncommon under normal conditions.
Reef Tank Requirements
In addition to diet and temperament, whether or not a fish thrives in captivity also determines how suitable it is for reef life. Fish that are stressed due to improper care are more likely to harm tank mates than healthy, acclimated specimens.
So what do blue throat fairy wrasse need in terms of tank conditions and setup?
Tank Size
Blue throat fairy wrasse prefer larger reef aquariums. The minimum recommended size is 55 gallons or more. A tank of at least 75 gallons is better suited to their needs.
They are active swimmers that utilize all areas of the tank. So the more room, the better. Large tanks also dilute aggression and make it easier to provide sufficient shelters and sight breaks.
Water Parameters
Blue throat fairy wrasse thrive under the following water conditions:
- Temperature 72-78°F
- pH 8.1-8.4
- Alkalinity 3-4 dKH
- Calcium 420-450 ppm
- Specific gravity 1.023-1.025
Stable water parameters are crucial, as rapid fluctuations can stress fish. Invest in test kits and perform routine maintenance like water changes and filter cleanings to maintain a healthy environment.
Decorations
Blue throat fairy wrasse appreciate a decorated tank. Be sure to include:
- Live rock – Provides ample nooks and crannies for shelter and territory establishment
- Caves – Premade caves are ideal, as are rock structures with overhangs
- Driftwood – Offer additional shelter and surfaces for algae growth
Adequate places to hide and call home are key to reducing stress and aggression in fairy wrasse species.
Lighting
Proper reef tank lighting is about more than just coral growth. Fish need an appropriate day/night cycle too. Here are some tips:
- Use LED or T5 high output fluorescent lighting
- Provide 8-12 hours of daylight
- Use blue actinic LEDs to extend viewing
- Set lights on a timer for consistency
- Allow at least 8 hours of darkness
- Minimize room light at night
Quality lights combined with a regular photoperiod will keep wrasses on a natural cycle. This reduces stress and aggression.
Tank Mates
Blue throat fairy wrasse are peaceful enough for community life when properly acclimated. Good tank mates include:
- Other fairy and flasher wrasses
- Small angelfish
- Butterflyfish
- Rainbowfish
- Blennies
- Assessors
- Chromis
- Clownfish
- Cardinalfish
- Gobies
- Jawfish
Avoid keeping them with large or aggressive species that may bully them or compete for food. Also use caution when mixing with shrimp, ornamental crustaceans, or coral banded shrimp, as they may become prey.
Are Blue Throat Fairy Wrasse Reef Safe? Verdict
When provided a varied carnivorous diet, ample shelter, stable water quality, and appropriate tank mates, blue throat fairy wrasse adapt well to reef life. They mostly ignore corals and other sessile invertebrates in favor of frozen and pelleted preparations.
Territorial disputes happen but serious aggression is uncommon, especially in larger tanks. Their colorful presence and active antics are a stunning addition to coral reef aquariums of 55 gallons or more.
So in summary, yes blue throat fairy wrasse can be considered reef safe for most tanks when their needs are properly met. Use caution mixing them with very small, docile species. But in general, they integrate smoothly into community setups.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do blue throat fairy wrasse get?
Blue throat fairy wrasse reach approximately 4-5 inches in length in home aquariums. Males tend to be slightly larger than females.
Are blue throat fairy wrasse aggressive?
Blue throat fairy wrasse display very low levels of aggression compared to most other wrasse. They may skirmish with each other but rarely harm other inhabitants. Proper introduction and plenty of territory help.
What size tank do blue throat fairy wrasse need?
A minimum of a 55 gallon tank is recommended. But these active fish utilize all available space, so larger is always better. Aim for at least 75 gallons.
Do blue throat fairy wrasse eat corals?
With proper supplemental feeding, blue throat fairy wrasse ignore corals and other invertebrates. Maintain a varied meaty diet and they are very unlikely to harm corals.
Are blue throat fairy wrasse good for reef tanks?
Yes, blue throat fairy wrasse adapt well to life in reef tanks when provided appropriate care. They add a pop of color while largely leaving corals and clams alone.
What do blue throat fairy wrasse eat?
Blue throat fairy wrasse eat tiny crustaceans and zooplankton in the wild. In tanks they need supplemented with meaty frozen and freeze dried foods like mysis, brine shrimp, krill, and carnivore pellets.
Can blue throat fairy wrasse be kept alone?
It is not recommended to keep a single blue throat fairy wrasse alone. They are social fish that do better with conspecifics or other peaceful tank mates of similar size and activity levels.
How often do blue throat fairy wrasse need to be fed?
Feed blue throat fairy wrasse at least 2-3 times per day. Provide a variety of frozen and freeze dried meaty foods. Soak pellets in tank water before feeding if they are reluctant to accept them.
What fish can live with blue throat fairy wrasse?
Good tank mates for blue throat fairy wrasse include angelfish, butterflyfish, blennies, gobies, assessors, cardinals, chromis, clownfish, and other small peaceful community fish. Avoid large aggressive species.
Conclusion
Blue throat fairy wrasse bring vibrant color and constant motion to reef tanks. While beautiful, beauty alone doesn’t make a species suitable for reef life. A fish-only perspective would deem them risky due to their carnivorous diet.
However, we cannot look at fish in a bubble. By considering their behaviors, care needs, and tendencies in captivity, blue throat fairy wrasse prove themselves low-risk. Their peaceful community-friendly nature, lack of interest in corals, and hardiness for aquarium life all work in their favor.
Provided the basic care outlined here, blue throat fairy wrasse add interesting pops of color and activity throughout the tank. They generally co-exist peacefully with corals, clams, shrimp, and most community fish. Overall, blue throat fairy wrasse can be considered reef safe for tanks 55 gallons and up when fed and maintained properly.