Pseudocheilinus ocellatus (Whitebarred Wrasse)
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Originally posted 2009-11-06 13:30:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Family: Labridae

Distribution: Coris Julis are distributed in the oceans of the Eastern Atlantic, from Sweden to south of Cape Lopez, Gabon, and have also been seen in the Mediterranean Sea.

PH: 8.1 – 8.4

Temperature: Approx 22°C (72 F)

Salinity: 1.020 – 1.025

Description: Mediterranean Rainbowfish, or Rainbow Wrasse as they are commonly called, grow up to a huge 30cm in length. Both sexes have an elongated body of a variety of red, black, white and orange colouration, with females being typically smaller and less flamboyant.  Males display a zigzag orange to red stripe along the side of the body whereas females display a dark brown stripe.  Fins typically have variable light colouration with an orange/red or black spot.

Diet: As with all wrasses, the Rainbow Wrasse is carnivorous and will take frozen and live offerings.  Provide such tasty treats as fireworms, clams, mysid shrimp, squid, flaked foods, tubeworms, flatworms, scallop clam and other small crustacean.

Breeding: Like other wrasse, Coris Julis can change sex during their life to maintain the balance of dominance in a harem, which consists of a dominant male and multiple females in their natural marine environment.  The females release their eggs into the water and the ocean currents take them away.  As such, they are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity.

Comments: The Rainbow Wrasse has been known to be semi-aggressive and is recommended for moderate to expert aquarists.  Decorate your marine aquarium with rockwork, a fine, thick layered sandy base and caves in which to hide.  Allow for both high light levels and shaded areas.  It can frighten easily so provide a lot of hiding places and a deep sand bed so that it can retreat when needed.  You will need a large tank to hold this species as it loves deep water and plenty of room in which to swim.

Remember that this species may not be reef safe, so exercise necessary caution.

Tip: If you have just bought a Rainbow Wrasse and it has disappeared, it is probably just hiding or sleeping in the sandy base.  Don’t worry; it will reappear when it has acclimatised itself.

Article/Books:

Recommended Compatible Species:

Rainbow Wrasse can be cantankerous so you will need to bear this in mind when choosing tankmates.  In the wild, it has been found alone and in small groups, so more than one individual is only necessary to bring out colouration and activity.

Depending on the size and temperament of your wrasse, potential tankmates could include the hogfish, parrotfish, pseudochromis, squirrelfish, puffers, tangs and surgeons, and live corals.

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Family: Labridae

Distribution: Halichoeres chloropterus prefer silty sand, rubble bottoms and the shallow sheltered coral reefs and inshore waters of the tropical Western Pacific, Phillipines and Indo-Pacific region.

PH: 8.1 – 8.4

Temperature: 24°C -28°C (75 – 82F)

Salinity: 1.020 – 1.026

Description: The fish of many names, Halichoeres chloropterus is also known as the Green Wrasse, Pastel-green Wrasse, Black Blotched Rainbowfish, Dark blotch Wrasse, Green Spotted Wrasse and Green Coris. An absolutely gorgeous addition to any marine aquarium, the body of a female Green Wrasse is luminescent pale green with a white underbelly, small dark spots on the sides of their body and a thin dark line on the abdomen and pectoral fin base. Male Green Wrasse are similar and have a network of pink spotted bands on its body, and asymmetrical lines of pink and green around the head.

Diet: Green Wrasse are carnivorous and while it prefers live food, it will feed on frozen offerings as well. Provide such tasty treats as fireworms, clams, mysid shrimp, squid, flaked foods, tubeworms, flatworms, scallop clam and other crustacean. Feed your fish at least twice a day.

Breeding: Like other wrasse, Halichoeres chloropterus, can change sex during their life to maintain the balance of dominance in a harem, which consists of a dominant male and multiple females in their natural marine environment. The females release their eggs into the water and the ocean currents take them away. As such, they are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity.

Comments: The peaceful Green Wrasse is suitable for a moderately experienced or expert aquarist. This powerful swimmer needs rockwork, a fine sandy base and caves – all to act as places in which to hide should it become frightened.

Choose at least a 210L (60 gallon) aquarium with a tight-fitting lid, as these fish are excellent leapers. Opt for high light level in your marine tank, and if you wish to keep

more than one per tank, choose one larger fish and the rest smaller – possibly, two females or a male and female.

Tip: If you have just bought a Green Wrasse and it has disappeared, it is probably just hiding or sleeping in the sandy base. Don’t worry; it will reappear when it has acclimatised itself.

Article/Books:

Recommended Compatible Species:

Halichoeres chloropterus is a known threat to worms, small snails and crustaceans, although safe with coral, so exercise caution in a reef set up. While Green Wrasse are usually peaceful and happy community marine dwellers, they can get cantankerous with new additions to their aquarium home, so keep an eye on their behaviour.

Depending on the size and temperament of your wrasse, potential tankmates could include the hogfish, parrotfish, pseudochromis, squirrelfish, puffers, tangs and surgeons and live corals.

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Family: Labridae

Distribution: Halichoeres chrysus, the fish of many names, is more commonly referred to as the Golden Wrasse, Canary Wrasse or Yellow Coris.  It is a marine species distributed widely over the Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific, from Japan to Australia.

PH: 8.1 – 8.4

Temperature: 22°C -26°C (72 – 78F)

Salinity: 1.020 – 1.025

Description: Stunning in canary yellow vibrancy, this wrasse is a wonderful addition to any marine setup.  Growing to a potential length of up to 12.5cm (5 inches), the Golden Wrasse or Golden Rainbowfish often sports an occasional blue fin and black eyespot on its tail to match its bright sun-yellow body. The males and females are usually difficult to tell apart although the latter are often smaller.

Diet: As with all wrasses, the Golden Wrasse are carnivorous and will pretty much eat anything you throw in the tank!  It prefers live food but will take frozen offerings as well.  Provide such tasty treats as fireworms, clams, mysid shrimp, squid, flaked foods, tubeworms, flatworms, scallop clam and other crustacean.  Feed your fish three times a day.

Breeding: Like other wrasse, Halichoeres chrysus, can change sex during their life to maintain the balance of dominance in a harem, which consists of a dominant male and multiple females in their natural marine environment.  The females release their eggs into the water and the ocean currents take them away.  As such, they are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity and there is no current record of successful aquarium breeding.

Comments: The peaceful Golden Wrasse is recommended for moderate to expert aquarists, or enthusiastic beginners who have access to expert advice.  Decorate your marine aquarium with rockwork, a fine, thick layered sandy base and caves in which to hide.  Allow for both high light levels and shaded areas.

The Golden Wrasse is suitable for ‘fish only’, ‘fish with live rocks’ and reef set ups.  Remember that individuals of this species may not be reef safe, so exercise necessary caution.

Tip: If you have just bought a Golden Wrasse and it has disappeared, it is probably just hiding or sleeping in the sandy base.  Don’t worry; it will reappear when it has acclimatised itself.

Article/Books:

Recommended Compatible Species:

Golden Wrasse are usually peaceful and happy community marine dwellers and do well in the company of other similarly friendly, active fish. Depending on the size and temperament of your wrasse, potential tankmates could include the hogfish, parrotfish, pseudochromis, squirrelfish, puffers, tangs and surgeons and live corals.

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Family: Labridae

Distribution: Halichoeres nebulosus are found throughout the sub-tropical and tropical marine waters of the Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea.  Additionally, the Nebulosus Wrasse has been found off the north-western coast off Western Australia, and from the Northern part of the Great Barrier Reef to the Central coast of New South Wales in Australia.  It inhabits reef flats, rocky shores, and reef margins.

PH: 8.2

Temperature: 23°C -28°C (74 – 82F)

Salinity: 1.023 – 1.028 (at 25°C)

Description: The Clouded Rainbowfish can be differentiated from other Halichoeres by its characteristic boomerang-shaped pink cheek marking.  As the fish matures, this distinctive marking will become more distinct and vibrant in colour.  This pinkish layer of spots and streaks is found all over its body.  Commonly called Nebulosus Wrasse or Cloud Wrasse, it grows up to 12cm long.  The females are normally less radiantly coloured although still display their distinctive pinkish eye and cheek band.

Diet: Feed your Nebulosus Wrasse twice a day on brine shrimp, top quality flaked food, small shrimp, krill, flatworms and mysid shrimp.  While they prefer live food, it will feed on frozen offerings as well.

Breeding: Like other wrasse, Halichoeres nebulosus can change sex during their life to maintain the balance of dominance in a harem, which consists of a dominant male and multiple females in their natural marine environment.  The females release their eggs into the water and the ocean currents take them away.  As such, they are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity.

Comments: The peaceful Nebulosus Wrasse is suitable for a moderately experienced aquarist.  If its requirements are met, this fish is quite hardy.  This powerful swimmer needs rockwork, a big sand bed and caves in which to hide.  They are reef-safe and will co-exist happily in a marine aquarium.

Choose a 500L aquarium and ensure it has a tight-fitting lid as these fish are excellent leapers.

Tip: These fish are no longer known as Octocyodon nebulosus but much of the educational material relating to this fish will still refer to it as such.

Article/Books:

Recommended Compatible Species:

While Nebulosus Wrasse are usually peaceful and happy community marine dwellers, they can get aggressive with fellow tankmates.

Depending on the size and temperament of your wrasse, potential tankmates could include the hogfish, parrotfish, pseudochromis, squirrelfish, puffers, tangs and surgeons and live corals.

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Family: Odacidae

Distribution: Primarily living in the sub-tropical waters of the Eastern Indian Ocean, the Marine Rainbowfish, or Rainbow Cale, has been recorded from the central coast of New South Wales, to the north on the central coast of Western Australia, including the northern coast of Tasmania and Bacon Island.   They prefer rocky reefs and areas covered in broad-leafed sea grasses.

PH: 8.0 -8.5

Temperature: 22°C -26°C (72 – 78F)

Salinity: 1.020 – 1.025

Description: With elongated dorsal fins, blue lines on the head and distinctive black patchy side colouration, the adult male Rainbow Cale is often photographed for its beauty in the wild.  Females are equally as eye-catching with yellow/green to red-brown bodies and the typical dark side markings.  Rainbow Cales grow up to 30cm in length.  The Rainbow Cale is an Odacid fish, which means that teeth in both jaws have serrated edges and are fused into a parrot-like beak.

Diet: Unknown.

Breeding: Unknown.

Comments: The Rainbow Cale may not be reef safe so exercise caution.  They prefer to play and hide among sea grasses so mimic this in your tank by planting abundant plant life.

Article/Books:

Recommended Compatible Species:

Bear in mind that the Rainbow Cale is very large and will need appropriately sized tankmates with similar temperaments in order to co-exist happily.

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Family: Labridae

Distribution: The Red Shoulder Wrasse live in the reef-associated, tropical marine environments of the Indo-Pacific, Indian Ocean and Eastern Pacific oceans.  They live in depths of up to 30 metres.  They prefer the clear, shallow waters of reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs.

PH: 8.2

Temperature: Unknown

Salinity: 1.020 – 1.024

Description: The males grow up to 15cm long while the females only reach 8cm.  Males exhibit a series of thin blue line along their sides.  Females are mainly bluish grey with white spots and a red mark on their pectoral fin.

Diet: Feed your Red Shoulder Wrasse twice a day on brine shrimp, top quality flaked food, small shrimp, krill, flatworms and mysid shrimp.

Breeding: Like other wrasse, Red Shoulder Wrasse, or Dotted Rainbowfish, can change sex during their life to maintain the balance of dominance in a harem, which consists of a dominant male and multiple females in their natural marine environment.  The females release their eggs into the water and the ocean currents take them away.  As such, they are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity.

Comments: Mimic their natural environment by providing a sandy base in a marine set-up.

Tip:  Information about keeping the Red Shoulder Wrasse in the aquarium hobby is very limited so use information sources based on the general Labridae family.

Article/Books:

Recommended Compatible Species: In the wild, they live alone or in small groups so it doesn’t really matter if you keep one or more of these in your tank.  They are considered reasonably peaceful although can display minor aggression in community aquariums.

Depending on the size and temperament of your wrasse, potential tankmates could include the hogfish, parrotfish, pseudochromis, squirrelfish, puffers, tangs and surgeons and live corals.

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Family: Labridae

Distribution: The marine One-Line Rainbowfish, Cutribbon or Brokenline Wrasse (another fish of many aliases) lives on the coastal to outer reef regions in Japan and Australia in areas of mixed sand, rock and coral.  They live to about 20m depth in small schools.

PH: 8.1 – 8.4

Temperature: 23°C (73 F) – 26°C (79F)

Salinity: 1.020 – 1.025

Description: The Cutribbon Wrasse grow up to 13cm in length.  True to its name, it has an interrupted mid-lateral stripe running from snout to below the eye.  A mixture of yellow, salmon pink, pale silver-blue and dark tones makes this another beauty in the marine world.

Diet: As with all wrasses, Stethojulis interrupta is carnivorous and will take frozen and live offerings.  In the wild, they eat by sorting small animals through mouthfuls of sand, so it is best to mimic this in your tank.  Provide such tasty treats as fireworms, clams, mysid shrimp, squid, flaked foods, tubeworms, flatworms, scallop clam and other small crustacean.

Breeding:

Like other wrasse, Stethojulis interrupta can change sex during their life to maintain the balance of dominance in a harem, which consists of a dominant male and multiple females in their natural marine environment.  The females release their eggs into the water and the ocean currents take them away.  As such, they are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity.

Comments:

Stethojulis interrupta has been known to be semi-aggressive and is recommended for moderate to expert aquarists.  Decorate your marine aquarium with rockwork, a fine, thick layered sandy base and caves in which to hide.  Allow for both high light levels and shaded areas.  It can frighten easily so provide a lot of hiding places and a deep sand bed so that it can retreat when needed.  You will need a medium to large tank to hold this species as it loves deep water and plenty of room in which to swim; at least 113 litres (30 gallons).

Remember that this species may not be reef safe, so exercise necessary caution.

Tip:

Article/Books:

Recommended Compatible Species:

Cutribbon Wrasse can be cantankerous so you will need to bear this in mind when choosing tankmates.  In the wild, it has been found alone and in small groups, so more than one individual is only necessary to bring out colouration and activity.

Depending on the size and temperament of your wrasse, potential tankmates could include the hogfish, parrotfish, pseudochromis, squirrelfish, puffers, tangs and surgeons, and live corals.

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Family: Labridae

Distribution: The Ring Wrasse is endemic to the marine waters of the Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea.  Its range stretches out to include South Africa, the Society and Pitcairn islands, north to southern Japan, south to south-eastern Australia and Rapa Island.  It is generally found on the coral reefs and rocky substrates.

PH: 8.0 – 8.5

Temperature: 22°C -26°C (72 – 78F)

Salinity: 1.020 – 1.025

Description: Two different types of colouration are found depending where the Ring Wrasse is from.  In one form, the female is mostly black and the males are mostly green with a blue face.  The other type includes a white central body band. They can grow up to 40cm (15 inches).

Diet: As with all wrasses, the Ring Wrasse is carnivorous and prefers live food.  In the wild it eats small fish and crustacean.  Provide such tasty treats as fireworms, clams, mysid shrimp, squid, flaked foods, tubeworms, flatworms, scallop clam and other crustacean.

Breeding: Like other wrasse, Hologymnosus annulatus, can change sex during their life to maintain the balance of dominance in a harem, which consists of a dominant male and multiple females in their natural marine environment.  The females release their eggs into the water and the ocean currents take them away.  As such, they are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity.

Comments: The semi-aggressive Ring Wrasse is recommended for moderate to expert aquarists.  Decorate your marine aquarium with rockwork, a fine, thick layered sandy base and caves in order to mimic its natural habitat.  Allow for both high light levels and shaded areas.  Large aquariums, about 700 litres (185 gallons), are a must for this fish due to its unpredictable temperament.  Overall they are easy to keep but you must watch them with other fish.

Remember that this species is not necessarily reef safe, so exercise necessary caution.

Article/Books:

Recommended Compatible Species:

Due to the potential for aggression and size of the Ring Wrasse, it is best not to include smaller fish tankmates in a community aquarium as they could become food.

Depending on the size and temperament of your wrasse, potential tankmates could include the hogfish, parrotfish, pseudochromis, squirrelfish, puffers, tangs and surgeons.

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Thalassoma jansenii (Jansen’s Wrasse)
Information will be coming soon

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