Tropical reef-associated wrasses can be found throughout the Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific, and many make excellent marine aquarium fishes owing to their general hardiness, beautiful colors and interesting behaviors.
A Diverse Family of Fishes
With such a large group of fishes (second only to gobies) it should not be surprising that there are many differences between genera within the species. For example, wrasses range in size from some of the largest reef-associated fishes like the humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulates) to some of the smallest like the Minute wrasse (Minilabrus striatus). Likewise, many wrasses are the very definition of bold, brightly-colored tropical reef fish, but many others are dull and secretive. While most are carnivores that target small crustaceans living on the bottom of the reef and amongst its nooks and crannies, some wrasses are mid-water planktivores, and still others feed on parasites living on other fishes’ bodies. More than a few like to burrow in the sand to sleep or when scared, but a fair number make mucus cocoons in which they sleep. This is, in short, a diverse family of fishes.
Along with this great diversity in appearance and behavior, comes a great diversity in aquarium suitability. While many wrasses make great tropical marine aquarium fishes, quite a few do not. Don’t be fooled with the frequency with which some unsuitable species are offered in the trade—do your genus- and species-specific homework for any wrasse you intend to purchase. This article should serve as a good starting point.
Reef Compatible and Not Reef Compatible
Wrasses are generally broken down into reef-compatible and not reef-compatible categories. Reef-compatible wrasses will most likely leave your coral polyps alone, although some of your smaller ornamental invertebrates (e.g. ornamental shrimp) may become dinner. The following genera all possess wrasses that are generally considered reef-compatible:
- Cirrhilabrus
- Halichoeres
- Macropharyngodon
- Novaculichthys
- Paracheilinus
- Pseudocheilinus
- Wetmorella
Wrasses that are not considered reef-compatible include species in the following genera:
- Cheilinus
- Choerodon
- Clepticus
- Coris
- Gomphosus
- Halichoeres
- Hemigymnus
- Novaculichthys
- Thalassoma
Aquarium Suitability
Obviously this distinction between reef-compatible and non-reef compatible (not unlike the equally arbitrary SPS versus LPS coral distinction) has its serious limitations. As you no doubt noticed, for example, some species within the same genus (e.g. Halichoeres) are considered reef-compatible while others are not.
Every effort to pigeon-hole fishes as to their suitability for aquarium life is doomed to failure on some level; too many variables are in play. Having said that, here is an overview of the wrasses that (generally-speaking) make good aquarium species and those that do not.
Good Aquarium Fishes
The following genera of wrasses are whole-heartedly recommended for consideration by the marine aquarist confident in his or her ability to maintain consistent parameters in a marine aquarium.
- Choerodon (Harlequin Tuskfish)
- Bodianus (Hogfishes)
- Gomphosus (Bird Wrasses)
- Pseudocheilinus (Lined Wrasses)
- Halichoeres (Being such a large genus, it is truly hard to make generalizations, but many are outstanding aquarium fishes.)
Good Aquarium Fishes with Caution
The following genera may also prove excellent aquarium species, although more caution should be taken when considering them. Beware, some get very large.
- Cirrhilabrus (Fairy or velvet wrasses)
- Coris (The coris wrasses)
- Epibulus (The slingjaw wrasses)
- Hemigymnus
- Hologymnosus (The ringed wrasses)
- Macropharyngodon (The leopard wrasses)
- Novaculichthys (Razorfishes and rockmover wrasses)
- Paracheilinus (Flasher Wrasses)
- Wetmorella (The possum wrasses)
- Cheilinus (The maori or splendour)
- Thalassoma
Poor Aquarium Species
Finally, all that will be said regarding the following six genera is to steer clear unless you know exactly what you are doing (e.g. you are a researcher, public aquarium curator or very experienced aquarist).
- Anampses (Tamarin wrasses)
- Clepticus (Creol wrasse)
- Labroides (Cleaner wrasses)
- Pseudodax (Chiseltooth Wrasse)
- Pseudojuloides (Pencil Wrasses)
- Stethojulis (Ribbon Wrasse)
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