Page 268 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

266 MARINE FISH DIRECTORY

WRASSE

Wrasse are lively, active fish found in most warm
seas, though the majority come from tropical
waters. They tend to be colorful, displaying
elaborate patterning on their bodies. Their
shape varies from elongated to deep and
compressed, and there is a significant range in size
among members of the group; some of the larger
species are too big for the home aquarium. They are
not hard to maintain, feeding readily, but even tame
specimens can inflict a painful bite if offered food by
hand. Their fanglike teeth are more usually applied
to cracking into invertebrates, such as sea urchins,
which form part of their natural diet.
The orange markings of these young Orange-Spot Wrasse (Coris aygula) will
disappear as they grow. They can attain lengths of up to 4 ft (1.2 m).

Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis Coris formosa Coris gaimard
Fairy Wrasse Formosa Wrasse Clown Wrasse

ORIGINS Northern stretches of the Red Sea; also ORIGINS From East Africa through the Indo-Pacific ORIGINS Extends from the Red Sea through much of the
reported in the waters around Sri Lanka. region, extending as far as Australia. Pacific region, reaching Japan and Hawaii.
SIZE 4 in (10 cm). SIZE Up to 20 in (50 cm). SIZE 16 in (40 cm).
DIET Fresh and thawed marine foods; also algae. DIET Fresh and thawed marine foods. DIET Meat-based foods, such as invertebrates.
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline
(pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.025. (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.025. (pH 8.0–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.025.
TEMPERAMENT Can be kept safely with other small fish. TEMPERAMENT Will prey on invertebrates. TEMPERAMENT Do not mix with small companions.
Formosa Wrasse change dramatically as they mature.
Juveniles are not dissimilar to some Clownfish Adult
coloration
in their coloration, being orange and white with
black borders. Adult Formosa Wrasse have a
predominantly green body dotted with dark spots,
and blue stripes on the head. These wrasse bury
themselves in the substrate of their aquarium and
become solitary by nature as they grow older.

Do not mix this wrasse species with invertebrates Young Clown and Formosa Wrasse are very similar,
such as crustaceans, because it is likely to prey on but a close examination of the Clown’s head shows
them. In the wild, a solitary male, recognizable that the black-bordered stripe does not extend
by the blue longitudinal stripes along its body and below the top of the eye (as it does on the Formosa
the prominent black spot at the top of the caudal Wrasse), and the black spot is absent from the
peduncle, lives in association with a group of dorsal fin. Mature Clown Wrasse can be sexed by
females. Fairy Wrasse stay close to the reef, rarely the green stripe above the male’s anal fin. There
being observed swimming in open water. Nothing are also regional color differences; Pacific fish,
is known about their breeding habits. for example, have a bright yellow caudal fin.

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