Wrasse - Fish-Only Tanks :
The Wrasse in this category are very beautiful and active fish that will make a wonderful addition to any moderate to large sized marine fish only aquarium. Because of their diet in nature, these fish are ill-suited for a reef aquarium, as they will readily consume most crabs, snails and tube worms. The ideal aquarium will have plenty of live rock for hiding and a sandy substrate for burrowing into at night.
1-Yellow Wrasse
Halichoeres chrysus
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Easy - Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 5"
Color Form: Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Coral Sea
Family: Labridae
The Yellow Wrasse is also referred to as the Golden Rainbowfish, Golden Wrasse, Yellow Coris, or Canary Wrasse. It is golden-yellow with a black eyespot on the dorsal fin.
A 50 gallon or larger aquarium with a sealed lid, a 2-3 inch sandy bottom to hide under when frightened, and other peaceful Wrasses, including its own species, provides a good environment. It will eat fireworms and pyramidellid snails, protecting corals and clams. In addition, it may eat feather dusters, wild shrimp, tubeworms, and flatworms. It may also eat parasites off of tank mates.
The Yellow Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1-1/2" to 3"; Medium: 3" to 4"; Large: 4" to 6"
2-Yellow & Purple Wrasse
Halichoeres leucoxanthus
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 5"
Color Form: Purple, White, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Family: Labridae
The Yellow & Purple Wrasse is also known as the White or Four Spot wrasse, and originates from the invertebrate-rich waters of Sri Lanka. The Juvenile form is yellow and white/purple in coloration. The top half of the fish is yellow, while the lower half is white to purple. As the fish matures, the yellow coloration is lost to a beautiful pink coloration. Exercise caution if including this species into a reef aquarium, as it may feed upon feather dusters, ornamental shrimp and other similar invertebrates.
The Yellow & Purple Wrasse requires a 50-gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of live rock and a few inch deep sand bed which it will use for hiding and grazing. This species is a known jumper, and a tight fitting canopy is a must. It will eat fireworms and pyramidellid snails, protecting corals and clams. In addition, it may also eat feather dusters, wild shrimp, tubeworms, and flatworms. However, they will not bother polyps, mushrooms or corals.
The Yellow & Purple Wrasse wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small; 1 1/2" to 2" Medium; 2" to 3" Large; 3" to 4"
3 -Green Wrasse
Halichoeres chloropterus
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Care Level: Easy - Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 8"
Color Form: Green
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Coral Sea
Family: Labridae
The Green Wrasse is also referred to as the Pastel Green Wrasse or Green Coris. The body color is a most attractive, pastel green without extravagant markings.
A 75 gallon or larger aquarium with a tight-fitting lid, a 2-3 inch sandy bottom to hide under if frightened, and other peaceful wrasses, including its own species, provides a good environment.
It will eat fireworms and pyramidellid snails protecting corals and clams. In addition, it may eat feather dusters, wild shrimp, tubeworms, and flatworms. The Green Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1-3/4" to 3"
4-Red Coris Wrasse
Coris gaimard
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 1' 3"
Color Form: Black, Blue, Green, Orange, Red, White, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji, Indonesia, Solomon Islands
Family: Labridae
The Red Coris Wrasse, also known as the Clown Wrasse, Red Labrid, or Yellowtail Coris, can be found on almost every reef in the Indo-Pacific and Hawaiian Region, and extends all the way into the Red Sea. Adult specimens in the wild can easily grow to a foot, but in an aquarium, they rarely exceed 6-8 inches. The juvenile and adult appearances vary greatly. As a youth, the body color is orange with white tiger stripes or spots across the back. The stripes and fins are outlined in black. In adulthood, the body takes on a speckled blue coloration, the fins are decorated with yellows, reds, and blues, and the face is orange with green stripes. The male has a light green stripe on the body, just above the anal fin.
The Red Coris Wrasse requires a 125 gallon or larger aquarium with a sandy bottom into which it will burrow to sleep, or if it is threatened. Do not attempt to keep the Red Coris Wrasse on crushed coral or similar substrate as they have a poor survival rate on such substrates. When very small, Red Coris are safe with almost any fish that will not eat them, but as they grow, they can become destructive. They should not be kept with invertebrates.
The Red Coris Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.
Approximate Purchase Size: Juvenile Small: 1" to 1-3/4"; Juvenile Medium: 1-3/4" to 2-1/4"; Juvenile Large: 2-1/4" to 3-1/2"; Small: 1-1/2" to 3"; Medium: 3" to 4"; Large: 4" to 6"
5-Formosa Wrasse
Coris formosa
Minimum Tank Size: 180 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: No
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 2'
Color Form: Black, Orange, White
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Africa, South Asia
Family: Labridae
Juvenile
Juvenile
Adult
The Formosa Wrasse is also referred to as the Formosan Coris or Queen Coris. The juvenile and adult appearances vary greatly. As a juvenile, the body color is orange with white tiger stripes across the back. The stripes and fins are outlined in black. As an adult, the females have a dark blue-green body with black spots, accented by red on the fins, and a light-blue diagonal stripe across the orange face. The males have a light-blue body with vertical blue stripes and several green stripes on the face.
It requires a 180 gallon or larger aquarium with a 4-6 inch layer of sand in which to bury itself. It is an excellent hunter and will leave no rock unturned (literally) in search of food. The Formosa Wrasse will eat urchins, crabs, shrimp, and small invertebrates.
The Formosa Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.
Approximate Purchase Size: Juvenile Small: 1-1/2" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3"; Large: 3" to 3 1/2" Adult Small 3 1/2" to 4" Medium 4" to 5" Large 5" to 7"
Adult
Juvenile
6-Hoeven's Wrasse
Halichoeres melanurus
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 4½"
Color Form: Blue, Green, Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Cebu, Fiji, Indonesia
Family: Labridae
The Hoeven's Wrasse is also referred to as the Tail Spot Wrasse, the Yellow-lined Wrasse, the Orange-tipped Rainbowfish, the Tailspot Wrasse, and the Pinstriped Wrasse. The body of this fish is blue-green in color and has pink or yellow stripes running horizontally across its sides. The color of the juvenile is more muted.
A 50 gallon or larger aquarium with a tight-fitting lid, a 2-3 inch sandy bottom to hide under if frightened, and other peaceful wrasses, including its own species, is an acceptable environment.
It will eat fireworms and pyramidellid snails, protecting corals and clams. In addition, it may eat feather dusters, wild shrimp, tubeworms, and flatworms. It may also eat parasites off of tank mates. When first introduced into the aquarium, live saltwater feeder shrimp should be used to entice this fish to eat. Regular feedings should include a variety of prepared and live meaty foods, such as feeder shrimps, flaked foods, and marine fish.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1-1/2" to 2 1/2"; Medium: 2 1/2" to 3 1/2"; Large: 3 1/2" to 4 1/2"
7-Radiant Wrasse
Halichoeres iridis
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 4½"
Color Form: Black, Green, Orange, Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: East Africa
Family: Labridae
The Radiant Wrasse is also referred to as the Orangehead Wrasse, Iridis Wrasse, and Radiant Africa Wrasse. The adult has a dark red body with colors becoming lighter at the edges and fins. The head is a bright gold color with the yellow tones continuing along the dorsal fin. The color of the juvenile is more muted.
A 50 gallon or larger aquarium with a tight-fitting lid, a 2-3 inch sandy bottom to hide under if frightened, and other peaceful wrasses, including its own species, is an acceptable environment. It will eat fireworms and pyramidellid snails, protecting corals and clams. In addition, it may eat feather dusters, wild shrimp, tubeworms, and flatworms. It may also eat parasites off of tank mates.
The Radiant Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small 1-3/4" to 2-1/4", Medium 2-1/4" to 3-1/2", Large 3-1/2" to 5"
8-Christmas Wrasse
Halichoeres claudia
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025, KH 8-12
Max. Size: 5"
Color Form: Blue, Green, Orange, Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji
Family: Labridae
Distinctive for their stunning coloration, the beautifully ornamented Christmas Wrasse from Fiji is also known in the hobby as the Red-Lined or Biocellate Wrasse. Female Biocellate Wrasse feature distinct ocelli (eye spots) on their dorsal fins. The males of the species that we offer have reddish stripes along a green/orange body and a U-shaped mark between the end of the anal fin and the base of the caudal fin. They have no ocelli in the dorsal fin.
A 50 gallon or larger aquarium with a tight-fitting lid, a 2-3 inch sandy bottom to hide under if frightened, and other peaceful wrasses, including its own species, is an acceptable environment.
It will eat fireworms and pyramidellid snails, protecting corals and clams. In addition, it may eat feather dusters, wild shrimp, tubeworms, and flatworms. It may also eat parasites off of tank mates. The Christmas Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small 1-1/2" - 3"; Medium 3" - 4"
9-Vrolik's Wrasse
Halichoeres chrysotaenia
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 5"
Color Form: Blue, Green, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indonesia
Family: Labridae
Put on a pair of shades before acclimating this one out of the box, because the Male Vrolik's Wrasse is a true razzle-dazzler. Neon red stripes pop against iridescent blues and greens. A sunny yellow dorsal fin glows under the glimmer lines of your lighting system.
Halichoeres chrysotaenia, while appearing similar toHalichoeres melanurus, can be differentiated by its spotted caudal fin, whereas H. melanuras has lines on its caudal fin that form a single black spot when compressed.
A 70 gallon or larger aquarium with a tight-fitting lid, a 2-3 inch sandy bottom to hide under if frightened, and other peaceful wrasses, including its own species, is an acceptable environment.
It will eat fireworms and pyramidellid snails, protecting corals and clams. In addition, it may eat feather dusters, wild shrimp, tubeworms, and flatworms. It may also eat parasites off of tank mates. Diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.
Approximate Purchase Size: Juvenile (Small): 1-1/2" to 2-1/4"; Adult (Medium): 2-1/4" to 3-1/4"
10-Marble/Hortulanus Wrasse
Halichoeres hortulanus
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 11"
Color Form: Black, Green, Orange, Red, White
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu
Family: Labridae
The juvenile Marble/Hortulanus Wrasse, also known as the Checkerboard Wrasse, is white with stripes, dots, and patches of black. With maturity, it becomes silver with a distinctive black checkerboard pattern on the body. The dorsal fin and tail are yellow, and the face is light green with orange to pink striped markings.
A 125 gallon or larger aquarium with a sealed lid, a 2-3 inch sandy bottom to hide under if frightened, and other peaceful wrasses, including its own species, is a suitable environment. In the tank, it will eat fireworms and pyramidellid snails, protecting corals and clams. In addition, it may eat feather dusters, wild shrimp, tubeworms, and flatworms.
The Marble/Hortulanus Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small 1-3/4" to 2-1/4", Medium 2-1/4" to 3-1/2", Large 3-1/2" to 5"
11-Grey Head Wrasse
Halichoeres leucurus
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 6"
Color Form: Black, Blue, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Family: Labridae
The simply-striking Grey Head Wrasse, or Threespot Wrasse has three white lines on either side of its head, three black spots along its back, and three false "eyes" running along its dorsal fin back to a fourth on the tail in Juveniles and Females. Adult male Grey Head Wrasse, sport vivid blue stripes through their face with orange/red spots along the length of their body.
A 70 gallon or larger aquarium with a tight-fitting lid, a 2-3 inch sandy bottom to hide under if frightened, and other peaceful wrasses, including its own species, is an acceptable environment.
It will eat fireworms and pyramidellid snails, protecting corals and clams. In addition, it may eat feather dusters, wild shrimp, tubeworms, and flatworms. It may also eat parasites off of tank mates. Diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.
Approximate Purchase Size: Juvenile (Small): 1-1/2" to 2-1/4"; Female/Subadult (Medium): 2-1/4" to 3"; Male (Large): 3" to 4"
12-Adorned Wrasse
Halichoeres cosmetus
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 5"
Color Form: Black, Blue, Orange, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indonesia
Family: Labridae
Bold, beautiful, and brimming with personality, the elegantly-striped Adorned Wrasse makes the perfect addition to your showcase reef aquarium. This two-spotted beauty boasts iridescent tangerine stripes across a bluish green body.
In the home aquarium, try to replicate seaward reefs of mixed coral and reef rock with sand patches. The Adorned Wrasse also prefers to inhabit reef crests and slopes on rocky or rubble-algae substrates. A 50-gallon or larger aquarium with a tight-fitting lid and a 2-3 inch sandy bottom to hide under if frightened makes an ideal environment. Stock with other peaceful wrasses.
The Adorned Wrasse will eat fireworms and pyramidellid snails; protecting corals and clams. In addition, it may eat feather dusters, wild shrimp, tubeworms, and flatworms. It may also eat parasites off of tank mates. The Adorned Wrasse diet should include vitamin-enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods. These fish should be offered small quantities of food several times per day.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1-1/2" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3"; Large: 3" to 4-1/2"
13-Lyretail Wrasse
Thalassoma lunare
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: No
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 10"
Color Form: Blue, Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Africa, Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, Sumatra, Vanuatu
Family: Labridae
The Lyretail Wrasse is also referred to as the Lunare Wrasse or Moon Wrasse. As an adult, it is green with bright facial and fin markings.
It should reside in a 125 gallon or larger aquarium with larger, aggressive tank mates, and plenty of rocks for hiding. It will become territorial and harass any new additions to the community, therefore, it should be the last fish added to the aquarium. It may be kept with a mate if the aquarium is 150 gallons or larger. It may eat mantis shrimp and bristleworms. It does not eat corals or live plants.
The Lyretail Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 2 1/2"; Medium: 3" to 4"; Large: 4" to 5"; X Large: 5" to 7"
14-Bluehead Wrasse
Thalassoma bifasciatum
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 7"
Color Form: Black, Blue, White, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Labridae
The Bluehead Wrasse is a beautiful, multicolored wrasse. Similar to many wrasse species, the Bluehead Wrasse demonstrates dramatic color variation within individuals based on gender and age. The Bluehead Wrasse experiences distinct yet fluid color phases. The juvenile Bluehead Wrasse is generally yellow with black markings along their sides and sometimes on their fins. As an adult, the male Bluehead Wrasse has a bold stripe pattern (black, white, black) that divides a vibrant blue-green and yellow anterior from the namesake blue head. The female Bluehead Wrasse is completely turquoise except for two black stripes.
The Bluehead Wrasse should be housed in a 75 gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of live rocks for hiding and a sandy substrate to burrow into at night. Larger, gregarious tankmates are recommended since the Bluehead Wrasse will demonstrate territorial behavior and harass new additions to the aquarium. If possible, the Bluehead Wrasse should be the last fish added to the aquarium. The Bluehead Wrasse is a carnivore whose natural diet consists of fish, crustaceans, motile invertebrates, and worms. As such, the Bluehead Wrasse may eat unwanted mantis shrimp or bristleworms in the aquarium. The Bluehead Wrasses does not eat corals or macroalgae.
The Bluehead Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.
Approximate Purchase Size: Medium 2" - 3 1/2" Large 3 1/2" to 5 1/2"
15-Banana Wrasse
Thalassoma lutescens
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: No
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 1'
Color Form: Blue, Green, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji, Vanuatu
Family: Labridae
The Banana Wrasse is also known as the Yellow-brown Wrasse, Sunset Wrasse, or Yellow Wrasse. As an adult, it takes on a yellow appearance if female, and a blue appearance if male. Both sexes have facial markings in green and fine vertical striping along the body. The fins are very colorfully marked.
It should reside in a 125 gallon or larger aquarium, with other aggressive tank mates, such as Tangs, Puffers and small Triggers and Angels. They are active fish and require plenty of rocks for hiding and a tight-fitting lid. It will become territorial and harass any new additions to the community, therefore, it should be added last to the tank. It may be kept with a mate, if the aquarium is 125 gallons or larger. It may eat mantis shrimp and bristleworms. It does not eat corals or live plants.
The Banana Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.
Approximate Purchase Size: Males: Small: 1-1/2" to 3"; Medium: 3" to 6"; Large: 6" to 10" Females: Small: 1-1/2" to 2"; Small/Medium: 2" to 3" Medium: 3" to 4"; Medium/Large: 4" to 5"; Large: 5" to 6"
Male
Female
