Halichoeres... show some love

[Jacob D]

I did a quick search and didn't find a thread for Halichoeres sp. wrasses... so here we go... Let's see some pics of these beautiful and sometimes underappreciated fish!


I have two, will start with this pic of my Vrolik's (H. chrysotaenia)
http://familiadinardi.net/photos/d/480/2010-10_7773++640x800.jpg

[SDguy]

My Halichoeres biocellatus... as a juvi:

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p5/SDreefguy/60g%2001-17-09/4_1.jpg

And as an adult:

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p5/SDreefguy/Fish%20Pics%202010/DSC030571.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p5/SDreefguy/Fish%20Pics%202010/DSC030621.jpg

[jimroth]

Lemon Meringue. I wanted the regular "Yellow Coris" (sic) after my last on carpet surfed. Somehow this ended up in the bag. Pretty similar.
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r168/ScrapCurmudgeon/JimAquaStuff/JuneReefshots036.jpg

[pinnatus]

My Yellow Coris Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus). Has been a great fish, was really shy at first for many months, but now is always out.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o195/garrettjrkp/Mobile%20Uploads/0831092021a.jpg

[38bill]

My Red Head Wrasse (h. rubricephalus)

Poor photo as it doesnt show his blue striped fins but it does show how green/red he is in sunlight.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-1/1240673/READHEADWRASSE.jpg

[milkman55]

Melanurus - Halichoeres melanurus

http://reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=131696&stc=1&d=1289439301

[SDguy]

Such a beautiful genus; great thread idea!

[IFbettas]

My male melanurus (halichoeres melanurus):

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff335/IFbettas/DSC_0217.jpg

[Ralph ATL]

my Melanarus & my Halichoeres claudia.

[iamwrasseman]

nice pictures ,i will have to snap a few pictures myself and post soon !

[LukFox]

If I ever got sand again these would be the first fish I'd add. Radiant wrasse (Halichoeres iridis).

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/lukfox/IMG_8506_edited.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/lukfox/IMG_8614_edited.jpg

[WuHT]

my Melanarus & my Halichoeres claudia.

awesome.. do you have them in the same tank ? and if so, how's the interaction between the 2 ?

[Elysia]

38bill -- love that redhead -- does it cause you any problems? How big has it grown?

For those of you with H. melanurus -- do you keep any serpent or brittle stars with it? Has the fish sampled the stars? I would consider one of the two above Halichoeres spp., but I have two very happy stars in my tank and I do not want to add a predator to their tank. I'd appreciate any advice.

[cubsFAN]

For those of you with H. melanurus -- do you keep any serpent or brittle stars with it? Has the fish sampled the stars? I would consider one of the two above Halichoeres spp., but I have two very happy stars in my tank and I do not want to add a predator to their tank. I'd appreciate any advice.

I have a melanurus in a 75 and it does not harass my serpent star. It does go after hermits and snails from time to time. Especially when I introduced a clean up crew a little while ago. The guy had a feast.

[WuHT]

I've got 2 brittle stars. In fact i've never seen my wrasse go after any of my hermits/snails, but i avoid the tiny crabs anyways.

[Ralph ATL]

awesome.. do you have them in the same tank ? and if so, how's the interaction between the 2 ?


same tank, and yes, I have a brittle star.

some harrassment.............nothing major.

[myerst2]

I think these are all Halichoeres but the pics are not mine. Love these guys. So underated.

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg22/myerst22/wrasse/c0172119_16245492.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg22/myerst22/wrasse/c0172119_17681.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg22/myerst22/wrasse/89E6919C201012083R83s815B.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg22/myerst22/wrasse/e0080082_21441056.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg22/myerst22/wrasse/2948d64c46146ba.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg22/myerst22/wrasse/a0099033_10341762.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg22/myerst22/wrasse/d0152833_11131997.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg22/myerst22/wrasse/a0096863_23344640-1.jpg

http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg22/myerst22/wrasse/honbera1-20070517.jpg

[skibum9884]

wow, the first looks to be a Pencil Wrasse, Pseudojuloides severnsi, but any names for the rest of them?

I'm especially interested in the 3rd picture.

[Jacob D]

wow, the first looks to be a Pencil Wrasse, Pseudojuloides severnsi...

I was thinking the same thing, first two actually look like some sort of Pseudojuloides to me. Is the peppermint looking one a Bodianus?

[Jacob D]

Here's a stunning male H. hortulanus (not mine)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/5169122271_5702c09bbd_b.jpg

[tcmfish]

Myers, the 6th is a Stethojulis, and most of those aren't Halichoeres, but cool fish.

[Cantonesefish]

If I ever got sand again these would be the first fish I'd add. Radiant wrasse (Halichoeres iridis).

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/lukfox/IMG_8506_edited.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/lukfox/IMG_8614_edited.jpg

Wow! :eek2: Is that a pair? How did they get along for you?

[LukFox]

Wow! :eek2: Is that a pair? How did they get along for you?

Yep, they got along excellently. Really loved having those guys.

[Jacob D]

Great fish everyone, keep the photos coming!


38Bill... that read head is awesome. Don't see too many of those around.

Alexa, that Iridis pair is also very cool. Did you purchase them as a pair?

[Jacob D]

This is my newest. I need to get a decent shot with the lights on, this is sunlight from the window this morning (sorry about the glare/relfection). He spent the last 3 1/2 weeks in QT and went into my tank last night. So far getting along with everyone and eating a lot of flatworms.

H. annularis (Fijian version of H. marginatus?)
http://familiadinardi.net/photos/d/510/2010-11_8028++640x800.jpg

[MCCOOL]

Are yall keeping these fish in reef tanks? If so, are you just living without much of a clean up crew?

Would a ~1.5" Plectranthias Inermis be in danger with all of these fish as adults?


... I want one too

[Jacob D]

Are yall keeping these fish in reef tanks? If so, are you just living without much of a clean up crew?

Would a ~1.5" Plectranthias Inermis be in danger with all of these fish as adults?


... I want one too

Mine have not shown interest in the CUC, but... I keep them well fed AND I have a massive population of flatworms. I just turned around and both wrasses are chowing down on them as I type.

The post on your other thread about the Iridis eating a fish is the first time I've ever heard about that happening, not that it couldn't happen again, but I think the odds are in favor of your P. inermis being unharmed, especially if you stick with one of the smaller species of Halichoeres. IMO these are really close to an ideal reef fish (peaceful, energetic, colorful, tolerant of conspecifics, eat pests, don't eat coral).

[MCCOOL]

Cool, thanks for the quick reply Jacob.

I'm going to move my shrimp to my LPS tank so I don't have to worry about them, now I just need to decide on a species.

[reefsic]

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[LukFox]

Are yall keeping these fish in reef tanks? If so, are you just living without much of a clean up crew?

Would a ~1.5" Plectranthias Inermis be in danger with all of these fish as adults?


... I want one too

I agree with Jacob. At 1.5" with that body shape I wouldn't really worry about it. It was just the shrimp at that point, and since you're moving them it sounds good for one.


Jacob, I didn't buy them as a pair. They're easy enough to sex that I just added the female to my established male, and there was little/no aggression upon introduction. I had no luck with adding a male to an established female, though, but adding a female to a male went very smoothly.

[38bill]

[QUOTE=Elysia;17909923]38bill -- love that redhead -- does it cause you any problems? How big has it grown?

My Red Head is about 4". I've had it less than a year and he gets along with all the other fish. He was skinny when I got him but he eats like a pig and he's really starting to bulk up now.

Here's another one of his tank mates. Ornate Wrasse (Halichoeres ornatissimus). I also have a H melanurus and all three get along without a problem. They are much more calm than the fairy wrasses in the tank.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-1/1240673/OrnateWrasse.jpg

[Ralph ATL]

Beautiful photos! Fish are gorgeous, too!

[blennielove]

Greetings all!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Halichoeres! I've been trying to figure out a way of getting one, or two or three but I'm terrified that I would kill it as I've had HORRIBLE luck with my wrasses!
I have a 55 gallon reef with one orange spotted blenny, pair of aurara gobies, and a possum wrasse, pair of clearner shrimps, and one peppermint shrimp...would one do well in a system like this? Or will it gain up on the little possum wrasse? I know I have to take my chances with the shrimps...
Jacob, how did you quarantine your beautiful Dusky? Did you have him in a bare bottom?
Thanks to everyone for sharing the beautiful photos!

[MCCOOL]

ReefSic - what species is the wrasse you posted?

[Jacob D]

My QT is a bare bottom. I considered putting sand in there for the wrasses but I do have some live rock that they slept under and it hasn't been an issue.


Here are a couple more pics of the Dusky taken with the lights on this time...

http://familiadinardi.net/photos/d/514/2010-11_8039++640x800.jpg

http://familiadinardi.net/photos/d/530/2010-11_8033++640x800.jpg

[iamwrasseman]

your shrimp may disappear within days or years but i dont think you will be able to keep them together . my opinion on the fish compatibility would be as follows ,it would be the blenny that may get somewhat aggressive in his territory towards most new fish .he probably wont actually be able to hurt anything but may harass them during the initial two or three weeks of acclimation .also your cleanup crew will possably dwindle slowly as they get picked off when your not at home .
just my 2 pennies but worth the effort IMO.

[iamwrasseman]

Jacob D nice dusky there ! i have a pair of juviniles and they are awesome together .

[blennielove]

Hello Dave - you are really my inspiration when it comes to wrasses!!!
I just love Jacob's second picture of his Dusky, the teeth makes it all very clear!
I currently have a twenty gallon tank with a Lubbock's wrasse whom I've had a year and don't know what to do with - I put him in there because he picked on my possum wrasse in the 55 gallon. At my LFS they have two gorgeous melanurus, one of which ate pellets, one christmas wrasse and I wanted to get the pellet eating melanurus and the christmas, quarantine them in the 20 gallon for two to three weeks (maybe too small), prazi them, then add them together in the 55 gallon. Just a thought...
Thanks for the information though!
Wrasses are so lovely!

[Jacob D]

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ReefSic - what species is the wrasse you posted?

I was wondering which that was also. It's a beauty.


Jacob D nice dusky there ! i have a pair of juviniles and they are awesome together .
Thanks Dave. I picked this one up from DD a while back. I thought it was H. marginatus but they said Annularis since it was from Fiji. Do you know which locale your Dusky's were collected from? Any pics of them?

[SDguy]

My QT is a bare bottom. I considered putting sand in there for the wrasses but I do have some live rock that they slept under and it hasn't been an issue.


Here are a couple more pics of the Dusky taken with the lights on this time...

http://familiadinardi.net/photos/d/514/2010-11_8039++640x800.jpg

http://familiadinardi.net/photos/d/530/2010-11_8033++640x800.jpg

Beautiful!! Love the shape!

[iamwrasseman]

i dont have a clue as to where they were collected from and no pictures either . i will have to get the camera out but i suk on the computer and its tough to post pictures cause i have to down size them and move them around . i just am so slow learning this stuff with my computer ,i feel like a 4 yr old .

[reefsic]

@ MCCOOL and Jacob D

Thanks guys! Its a male Melanurus

[MCCOOL]

@ MCCOOL and Jacob D

Thanks guys! Its a male Melanurus


Wow, I wouldn't have guessed that. Very cool fish

[Idle Moor]

Wow what a great response! I just added my first ever wrasse on Sunday - a little 3" melanurus. Eating pods and the occasional bristle worm like a madman, but eschewing prepared food except for frozen mysis and prime reef. Seems a model citizen so far. Will try to get a pic up.

[Jacob D]

Thanks Peter. I like the shape too; reminds me of a throwing knife.

Idle - Welcome to the Halichoeres club :) Snap a pic or two of your melanurus.

[gmigmi]

My photo skills aren't great, but some pics from my tank.
helichores is definitely one of my favorite group of wrasse.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2258&pictureid=23200

http://reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2258&pictureid=23196

http://reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2258&pictureid=23197

http://reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2258&pictureid=23198
and finally the king
http://reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2258&pictureid=23199

[Jacob D]

My photo skills aren't great, but some pics from my tank.
helichores is definitely one of my favorite group of wrasse....


Wow! Awesome group of Halichoeres you have! The richmondi is very nice. Are all of these together?

[gmigmi]

yes they are all in my 240g

[Jacob D]

That's great. Do they all get along with eachother? How big is your hortulanus?

[gmigmi]

he's aprox. 6 inches, I rarely see a very minor chase but nothing more than that, the interesting thing is that I see much more aggression between my fairy wrasse than the helichores.
the richmondy did get some bullying when he was added to the tank since he came much later then the others, but fortunately he was big enough to make it through the week or two of aggression till things calmed down.

[Ralph ATL]

Sweet pics!

[blennielove]

My photo skills aren't great, but some pics from my tank.
helichores is definitely one of my favorite group of wrasse.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2258&pictureid=23200

http://reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2258&pictureid=23196

http://reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2258&pictureid=23197

http://reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2258&pictureid=23198
and finally the king
http://reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2258&pictureid=23199

WOW! Just breath taking!
I was told that you could only have ONE halichoeres per tank, but obviously, it is possible to keep more than one!

Did you add them all at once or did you space them out?

[Jacob D]

Blennie - Halichoeres are generally tolerant of eachother.


There are a couple of nice Halichoeres on DD right now :D

[iceemn360]

Here's my guy that I've had for the past 3-4 years

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5192135961_ce7a725725_b.jpg

[malawinovice]

my Melanarus & my Halichoeres claudia.

did you mix these two in same tank?
what size, I am considering mixing with a leopard in 75

thanks

[blennielove]

Blennie - Halichoeres are generally tolerant of eachother.


There are a couple of nice Halichoeres on DD right now :D

I want to go get a couple...today...:eek2::eek2::eek2::eek2::eek2:
This is starting to get really bad! I think I am completely obsessed by these fishes!

Iceemn360 - Gorgeous wrasse! Beautiful shot too! What type of Halichoeres is he?

[iceemn360]

Thanks! Well I thought he was a melanurus but seeing photos earlier in the thread makes me second guess if he really is one!

[blennielove]

What ever he is - he is BEAUTIFUL!!! What if this is what a melanurus looks like when they are well taken care of and full grown?!?

More photos?

Thanks to everyone for sharing!!!

I look forward to reading this post daily!!!

[Jacob D]

Iceemn - that looks like H. chrysotaenia (same as first photo on page 1)

[Jacob D]

Here's one isn't seen too often... H. nebulosus

http://pds.exblog.jp/pds/1/200803/16/33/a0099033_20284266.jpg

[iamwrasseman]

very nice

[blennielove]

Wow, another beauty Jacob!
I noticed that they have them for sale at ThatFishPlace.com.
Have anyone bought fishes from them?
It just seems interesting that they have plenty of different fishes available but I don't hear of people buying from them often.

[Ralph ATL]

did you mix these two in same tank?
what size, I am considering mixing with a leopard in 75

thanks

yup, no problem! a 90..........

[bobbychullo]

i was thinking about getting a Halichoeres Chrysus for my 34 gallon cube. i only have 2 yellow assessors (and coral) in there now and from 1.5" to almost 4" in spots of live sand, a screen for the top of my tank as well. do you think i will have any problems?

[Jacob D]

Bobby, I wouldn't think you'd have any issues with the assessors but personally I think the cube might be a little small for the wrasse.

[Jacob D]

Somebody scored a SWEET H. rubricephalus from the Diver's Den tonight! Dang. I had made some other purchase recently or I would have been trying for that one myself!

http://www.liveaquaria.com/images/diversden/approved/lg-1130101-288.jpg

[skibum9884]

I saw that too. Wish I had seen it sooner! It's one of the nicest rubricephalus I've seen. Unfortunately it didn't click that this was the fish when I read over the common names today on the sneak peak. Guess I was expecting a red headed fairy or flasher :(

[bobbychullo]

Bobby, I wouldn't think you'd have any issues with the assessors but personally I think the cube might be a little small for the wrasse.

that is also what i was worried about, i do not want to make an unhappy home for a little guy...

thanks for the reply.

[38bill]

I saw that Red Head also, a real beauty. Never saw one before on DD. The coloring is even nicer than the RH I have.

[Elysia]

Dang! I would like to get a redhead, too. I guess I am going to have to sign up for the notifications...

[Chooch1]

I had a H. rubricephalus for 9 months that I got from BZA. It was nicer than the DD specimen, although this one is very nice. Mine did great for 9 months, got along with everyone including other Halichoeres and then it developed a bouyancy problem and died within days. I've heard of these fish not acclimating well due to possible collection issues but I found once it was acclimated it did great. I'm still confounded and saddened by what happened. This is a beautiful species and when it spreads it fins they are outlined in blue which is stunning with the green body and red head. Good luck to whoever snagged that beautiful fish!

[skibum9884]

Somebody scored a SWEET H. rubricephalus from the Diver's Den tonight! Dang. I had made some other purchase recently or I would have been trying for that one myself!

http://www.liveaquaria.com/images/diversden/approved/lg-1130101-288.jpg

Well, whoever purchased this fish must have cancelled the order. It was back on the website as of a minute ago when I checked! So, I HAD to purchase it!

Can't wait! Now I need to rework my calendar next week at work so I can be home for a delivery, unless anyone in the NYC area is a good babysitter I mean fish-sitter!

[skibum9884]

Oh yea, who has quarantine suggestions? Even though LA states the care level as "difficult" I'm hoping it'll be pretty bulletproof.

[Elysia]

Cool! I'll be interested to hear how it does. I like that it has a smaller ultimate size than the other members of the genus. But I am surprised that DD rated it as difficult; Scott Michael's book didn't mention that it would be any different than the other species. Please keep us updated.

[38bill]

Congrats, thats a dandy. I'm not an expert but my Red Head didnt act any different from my other Halichoeres wrasse except he was very fussy about eating. Mine was bold, not at all shy, but he didnt want any of my standard fish food. I ended up buying a couple of fresh oysters that I would cut up and then hold for him to eat. The RH's seem to have small mouths and prefer very small sized food (if they cant rip off bite sized pieces on their own). If mine took a big chunk from my hand he would bang it on a rock until he could get a bite out of it. Within a week or so he would eat anything. Mine even loves flake food now.You may not have any trouble with yours since it sounds like he is eating prepared food just fine. Let us know how he does.

ps: I think they need to be feed often to thrive.

[pinnatus]

Sadly, mine jumped out of the tank yesterday and is no more. I had it a very long time, and it was about 8" long. Guess I need to install screens over the tank. First jumper I have ever had in 36 years that I am aware of (that is I have never found any other fish on the floor before, though some have disappeared mysteriously over the years)...

My Yellow Coris Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus). Has been a great fish, was really shy at first for many months, but now is always out.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o195/garrettjrkp/Mobile%20Uploads/0831092021a.jpg

[Jacob D]

Oh yea, who has quarantine suggestions? Even though LA states the care level as "difficult" I'm hoping it'll be pretty bulletproof.

Wow! Congrats on the score... and damn you! ;)

I have actually been the lucky recipient of the DD canceled order myself, so I understand the full glory you're feeling right now. As far as difficulty, it's been my understanding that collection has always been the issue with these fish. Possibly mouth damage, or brain or physical injury from trying to dive/bury? I'm honestly not sure why they would be more difficult than the others aside from the collection issues. Maybe Kevin would know.

I have qt'd both of mine without sand and the fish have been fine. The fish just slept under some LR I had in the tank. That said, I might consider using some sand, especially since it's a 'sensitive' fish.

[Jacob D]

Pinnatus, sorry to hear about your loss. Get that tank covered and try again!

[iamwrasseman]

i have had a few of the red heads and they are very ,very tough to keep . i would like to wish you the best and hope he comes in healthy as a horse !
yes they require multiple feedings per day and and they are somewhat shy but dont take it to the extent of hiding all the time .
personally i would not QT the fish as live aquaria has done that for you and he will be much better off in you DT so he can get settled in asap . i have had much better success without Qt on this type of fish .

[Jacob D]

i would not QT the fish as live aquaria has done that for you.

I'm not questioning your experience with these fish, but that's a bold statement. I know the deal with DD, etc, etc... but "QT" is a broad term. Unless Kevin Kohen himself told me all the specifics of how they QT'd the fish I would QT it... (and depending what Kevin told me I still might QT it) but that's just me, to each their own. I also know there are two sides to the argument of whether or not to QT a sensitive fish, not looking to go down that road with anyone.


So other than the fish needing multiple feedings, what makes them exceptionally difficult? Is it any more difficult than a typical anthias species for example?

[iamwrasseman]

yes i know and i really didn't want to voice my opinion so i will stay out of it ,but if you want to read up on some of the acclimation procedures that differ from usual for wrasses only IMO check out the leopard wrasse primer and it may help you understand what i was getting at .
if you QT i would suggest trying to make the tank as close to" decorated "as possable,in this i mean gravel on the bottom and some live rock in it also . they do much better if you simulate nature a bit closer than just a bare QT with nothing in it .you may have to sacrifice some LR if you medicate but that beautiful fish is certainly worth it IMO .

[skibum9884]

i would not QT the fish as live aquaria has done that for you and he will be much better off in you DT so he can get settled in asap . i have had much better success without Qt on this type of fish .

Thanks for this. This is what I was really asking, but was afraid people would jump on me for questioning whether to QT or not. I realize it's not a leopard, but the mouth damage etc worries me, and I don't have a great track record with trying to QT fish in a non-sterile environment (i.e. - with sand or LR). The fish do fine, but medicating and ensuring the correct concentrations is just too difficult for me!

I'll think about this over the next few days, but it may go straight into the DT.

[iamwrasseman]

they are tough for the first couple of weeks ,after that you good to go . i wish you the best and please do what YOU think is best for the fish . its sometimes tough to make the decision of initial acclimation and introduction with such a beautiful and somewhat rare find so take you time and hopefully all will be smooth sailing .he is a beauty !

[38bill]

I QT'd mine in a BB tank and my display is also BB and my Red Head is just fine with that. I would QT just to make sure that he is eating after being shipped again. Like I said before, I had a little problem with mine eating and its so much easier feeding just the one fish in QT. Place him in the display too soon and he could freak out and hide and not get enough to eat.

[skibum9884]

So, I think my plan will be to introduce directly to the DT. The only fish in the DT are a trio of flame wrasses (all very small, the male is approx. 2.5"). I think it'll have the best chance going directly in, and I have a lot of faith in Kevin's fish.

The other additions to the tank, a pair of Blueline angels will wait to move from QT until the new wrasse is acclimated and doing well.

[Jacob D]

I didn't intend to track off into a QT discussion.

David, please post some photos of him when he's in your tank. Since they aren't seen all that often it would be a good addition to the thread (along with Bill's).

[iamwrasseman]

yes some pictures would be great just give him a moment to settle in before you start hitting him with the flash from your camera . with a fish like him i would darken the tank and wrap with towels for the first couple of days to reduce stress on him . leave only the lunar lights on for the first couple of days and it will help him also .

[skibum9884]

Sorry Jacob. Didn't mean to derail, it just kind of happened! I'll be sure to post pictures once he's in and settled a bit. Should be middle-end of next week.

[MJinMN]

Is the consensus that this genus is generally safe for all types of corals, but that they might put some hurt on a CUC in a reef? Also, is there anything you all are doing different with respect to QT that you think is specific to the genus?

[Jacob D]

Is the consensus that this genus is generally safe for all types of corals, but that they might put some hurt on a CUC in a reef? Also, is there anything you all are doing different with respect to QT that you think is specific to the genus?

Very generally speaking they are safe with corals, but recently I have come across a couple of threads where the owners had problems with a Halichoeres nipping at a clam or LPS... so as with everything your mileage may vary. CUC is much more likely to be a target than corals.

At least a couple of us here have QT'd them without sand. My QT is more like an established system with LR, some algae, been running a long time, etc. The term 'decorated qt' was used above... pretty good description. I don't know if this made a difference one way or the other but personally I have had much better success with this type of QT for all fish and corals.

[Jacob D]

yes some pictures would be great just give him a moment to settle in before you start hitting him with the flash from your camera . with a fish like him i would darken the tank and wrap with towels for the first couple of days to reduce stress on him . leave only the lunar lights on for the first couple of days and it will help him also .

That's probably a good call. I never use flash... I didn't even think about it.

[tnyr5]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v697/tnyr5/025.jpg my male rubrocephalus has been with me for about a year now. I'd say he's grown about 1/2" since I got him (5" now). I must have gotten lucky with mine, he was eating at the LFS and comes right to the surface begging to be hand fed whenever I walk into the room. The bottom of my tank is littered with the skeletons of clean up crews past lol. I just toss new ones in now & then and things are fine.

older pic with flash that shows off the colors better
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v697/tnyr5/IMG_0310-1.jpg

[iamwrasseman]

nice pictures tnyr5 ,thanks for sharing !

Jacob ,its something that we really don't think of when bringing these fish into our aquariums .even on a bigger scale how would we like to live the rest of our lives in someone else's home in a pickle jar being fed rice ? we take a lot for granted and it is truly amazing that most fish deal with aquarium life relatively normal like .i cant imagine they have much thought because if they did they would go insane pretty quickly .

[malawinovice]

Any one mix a lepard, melarinus, and a yellow coris wrasse in a 75 gallon?

I am looking for some yellow in my tank

thanks

[iamwrasseman]

yes i have them together a bipartus ,yellow coris, yellow tail coris ,melarinus ,potters ,two chisel tooth ,yellow chest twister wrasse ,and a few cleaner wrasses all together and doing well ,very peacful tank i might say .

[blennielove]

Well, I finally made the plunge and got the H. melaurus from the LFS. He has been there for two+ weeks and the day I went, I just gave myself three criterias:
1. He looks healthy and active
2. He is eating pellets
3. That he is still there!
And to my happiness, he was doing very well in his sand bottomed cubicle, when I looked in there, he came right up and started squirting water at me trying to get me to feed him. I fed him some Spectrum pellets and he gobbled them right up and begging for more. I told them to bag him and home he came.
I was going to QT him in my bare bottomed, coral skeleton littered 20 gallon chaeto tank, but then I thought that he had been in a cube sharing water with only inverts coral for the past 2+ weeks so I fresh water dipped him for 20 minutes and then placed him in the 55 gallon reef tank with one possum wrasse, pair of aurora gobies, an orange spotted blenny, a tiger wardi goby, a pair of cleaner shrimps and a peppermint shrimp. So far so good!
I have to say that after 2 weeks of having him, I'm regaining my courage with the wrasses again! He is a doll! He comes to the front of the tank everytime to beg for food. He is the MOST interactive wrasse I've ever had! And not to mention, he goes to sleep every night at 9:00 sharp - dives in the sand. So cute! :lolspin:

[skibum9884]

Well, the H. Rubricephalus arrived today. Looks great, and I while I was expecting it to dive right into the sand has been swimming around a bit. Lights are off to reduce any stress, but I will try and get some pictures in the next few days.

Looking very healthy! I'm extremely pleased.

[skibum9884]

Oh yea, and from what I was able to see in the dark, even prettier than in pictures!

[iamwrasseman]

awesome to hear ! best of luck to you ,hope he does great .

[Jacob D]

Anybody here notice one or more of your halichoeres go to sleep early, as in well before lights out? My Vrolik's used to disappear about an hour before lights out, now it's more like 3-4 hours before lights out.

He's always out and about first thing in the morning (6-ish) and tucked in somewhere by about 6 PM. The last light is off at 10:30 PM. It's been scaring me lately since his "bedtime" keeps getting earlier I keep thinking... "did something happen to him?" and then there he is the next morning waiting for me to saunter over with my coffee!

[iamwrasseman]

i have a dozen or so that are up when the sun rises as they dont wait for 11am when my actinics turn on . the other 30ish wrasses seem to wait for the aquarium lights to turn on and stay up till they are off . my early risers are somewhat split as a few do bed down early but a few stay up till the aquarium lights turn off .
its just how they are i guess ,nobody ever told them when to get up or go to bed so they do what comes natural to them in this very unnatural world that we have them trapped in .
i would keep an eye on him but dont be worried unless he shows signs of stress or stops eating ,at that time it probably is to late anyway as they all react differently to aquarium life .they keep their learned traits from the ocean and also learn from other fish in your aquarium which makes for some pretty weird combinations of actions . in the wild they are in harems and learn from alike fish ,in your tank they learn from as many different fish as you have .

[38bill]

My wrasses (H.'s and all the fairies) are all up early. Some before the tank lights start to turn on, all schooled up in one corner waiting to be fed. They start to go to bed at different times but every one of them is out of sight about 1 hour before the last set of lights goes off at 10:30. My yellow tang is the last fish to go to bed. I can see him still cruisin even with just the moon lights on.

[60G]

:bounce3:i just bought mine

[blennielove]

My Melanurus goes to bed each night at exactly 8:55.
I just got a Christmas wrasse today and... well, they both been hiding since noon...
Should I be worried?

[Jacob D]

60G, Blennie, congrats on the wrasses. If they are new fish some hiding is not unusual initially.


Dave, wow that's a lot of wrasses. I guess you really are the wrasse man :)
Mine used to wait until about an hour before lights out before calling it a night (fairies too) but the last few weeks, maybe longer, this one just tucks in early. I'm not overly concerned as he seems very healthy and is active during the day every day, its just something I noticed recently.

I do have a theory after thinking about it... My lights don't come on until the afternoon. I have a large south facing window in my tank and the room is lit by the sun for the good part of the day but with the shorter days the room starts to get dark before my lights come on. I think this may be screwing with his internal clock (probably all the fish) since it gets light, then dims, then gets really bright when the lights come on. It's a more natural transition when the days aren't so short like they are now.

[blennielove]

Thanks Jacob!

[Moort82]

Not the best but here's my iridis. Bed time 9.10pm everyday

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac315/mort82mfuk/012-1.jpg

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac315/mort82mfuk/010.jpg

[60G]

i have had it in the tank for 1 full day and he hasnt eaten. what should i feed to get it to eat i tried mysis and frozen brine. thanks

[Jacob D]

1 day... it's still early. Keep trying the mysis :) If it doesn't start eating after a week you might want to try some live foods like black worms or brine.

[Jacob D]

Not the best but here's my iridis. Bed time 9.10pm everyday

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac315/mort82mfuk/012-1.jpg

http://i911.photobucket.com/albums/ac315/mort82mfuk/010.jpg

Beautiful iridis!

[tnyr5]

isn't it funny how they all go to bed on a schedule lol

[60G]

ok thanks

[blennielove]

Those are beautiful pictures Moort82!
What type of camera and did you use a flash? You must have mesmerized him somehow to keep him still for the picture!

Question:
I've had the Melanurus wrasse for about two and a half weeks and then I fresh water dipped the Christmas wrasse for 20 minutes then placed him in the display...
My Melanurus hasn't been out for the last 24+ hours...should I go digging in the sand?

[iamwrasseman]

do not dig into the sand after a fish that burrows ,he is in his safe zone now . let nature take its corse and he will be out to see you when he wants . they stay under sometimes for a week or more so dont get worried ,he is in the best spot he can find right now and DO NOT disturb him as it will only further stress him .
20 minute freshwater dip ? never ever heard of that ,20 minutes really ?

[blennielove]

Hi Dave,

Thank you for the information!!!
I promise I won't go digging around! :)
I was worried because he's been out and very active for the past couple of weeks then this happened. I could have frightened him when I put the bag with the Christmass wrasse in the tank to acclimate for temperature, but I didn't even note seeing him that morning - normally he will come right up to the glass and put on his charms for food.
Maybe he knew I was bringing someone new home and got jealous?

I learned from you that Leopard wrasses stay under for a long time, but didn't expect this from a Halichoeres.

Yes, it was twenty minutes. She, my Christmass wrasse, did really well. Not freaked out or anything, regular breathing and alertness. I was going to leave her in longer but thought why put her through it when the LFS had her for five weeks and she was the only fish in their coral system. She is out and active, eating mysis, frozen formula one and two and Ocean Nutrition pellets.

[iamwrasseman]

pretty cool ,i have just never heard of such a long dip but if i didnt learn something new today it would mean that i wasnt paying attention .
good luck too !

[blennielove]

Thanks again Dave,
I really appreciate your expertise and knowledge!!!
I've learned to dip for at least 15 minutes if I'm not QT-ing the fish. I've dipped a dying Randall's goby (with really bad C. irritans infection) for one hour and he is still healthy and happy with me - I guess that was when I realized that "I" freak out more than the fish!
I hope my Melanurus will pop out soon, I miss him already!
:)

[Moort82]

Those are beautiful pictures Moort82!
What type of camera and did you use a flash? You must have mesmerized him somehow to keep him still for the picture!



Thanks its a canon 40D. The first is with a flash but i don't like using it on fish. The second is without and normally it doesn't stay still. It was just behaving this morning so i gave it some krill as a treat.

Looking at getting a Melanurus soon. Any one have problems introducing hali's together?

[blennielove]

Hi Moort82, and thanks for the info! I'll borrow my hubby's Canon and try it out! Did you use a micro lens? About keeping more than one Halichoeres, there appears to be many people who've done it successfully on this thread. I myself am in the process of keeping a Melanurus and Christmas...well "trying to" should be better.

My Melanurus just popped out - I think my Tiger Wardii Goby must have sifted too close to his resting spot. But something doesn't look right, he seems to have a kink in his neck, hovering in one area not swimming along the length of the tank and he is breathing fast... I hope this is not a sign of illness!
Now I'm worried that I've really been cursed when it comes to wrasses! Or the wrasses are cursed with ME! :(
Keep my fingers crossed!

[iamwrasseman]

you have to understand that they many time are doomed to die as they almost seem to come in batches of good and bad much more with the leopards and tamarins than others . when you get them sometimes you can tell that they just dont have a chance and some do great thats why i always say "let nature take its course " .90% of mine come from the same wholesaler and i may lose four or five in a row then a bunch do great .my record is so much better now than two years ago as i have learned what helps them and what is a waste of time . IMO no QT and usually a temp acclimation only ,plenty of live food ,quiet tank ie. no flash pictures and stay away from the tank ,and introduce into display tank . i was at less than 20% 2 years ago now i am at 90% or better just by the above mentioned . i even have gone as far as covering the tank front and sides for a week and only actinics for the ones that look as though they are troubled .
my suggestion is that if you love them like i do ,don't give up and pay very close attention to what works and what does not .again the above mentioned is basically what to do . they love live brine but it need supplementation {selcon or GVH } ,add a few drops to a batch of brine then add to the tank ten minutes later . live mysis is better but very expensive and extremely difficult to keep as they cannibalize after a few days .then switch them over to PE MYSIS .
blennielove the fast breathing is not good so leave him alone and see what happens as there is nothing that you can do at this point except further stress him with your efforts to help .yes cross your fingers and let nature take its course .

[blennielove]

Thank you, Dave, for your insight and sharing your expertise. I will do as you say.

Watch and wait.

:)

[jimroth]

I realized something strange about my wrasse yesterday. They can shut their eyes and I don't know any other fish that can! I was watching the fish and it winked at me! Of course then need to, they bury themselves in the sand.

[jimroth]

Anybody here notice one or more of your halichoeres go to sleep early, as in well before lights out? My Vrolik's used to disappear about an hour before lights out, now it's more like 3-4 hours before lights out.

He's always out and about first thing in the morning (6-ish) and tucked in somewhere by about 6 PM. The last light is off at 10:30 PM. It's been scaring me lately since his "bedtime" keeps getting earlier I keep thinking... "did something happen to him?" and then there he is the next morning waiting for me to saunter over with my coffee!

My lemon meringue wrasse has a favorite sleeping spot and circles it before the lights go out, kind of like a dog waiting to lie down. It clearly doesn't like other fish to see it go under the sand, so it waits till they have left if possible.

[iamwrasseman]

i wish you the best blennielove ,please keep us informed !

[mr.maroonsalty]

I have a bunch of questions; lets start with how deep a sand bed should I plan for, and how much area should it be. I'm wanting to partition off a bed. Say I plan for two Halichoeres in a 4' 140, would I be safe planning a Bodianus? What about two a candy and a peppermint? How will Cirrhilabrus mix with them? Last for now, I'm really liking the spectrum foods, and liking more being off frozen; how will these wrasses fit into a once or twice feeding schedule, and will they take well to these pellets?

[iamwrasseman]

3"to 4" deep sand bed but if needed they will burrow in less .i like to leave the back of my tank deeper ,say 1/3rd of my tank .candy and peppermint with cirrhilabrus should be okay and add them in that order IMO .yes most fish overall eat spectrum foods as they are a pretty good company and have good products .

[iamwrasseman]

oh and yes the hod fish should be okay also . how many other fish are currently in your tank ? corals also?

[mr.maroonsalty]

I'm in the early build stage; it'll have my current fish: a gsmc, a talbot's damsel, a scopus, and a solaris blenny. I would like to pair up the little Chrysiptera; its mate was lost in an accident a couple years ago. I'm stuck with the Clownfish. I've had her since Jan 03, and as much as I don't want to give up the real estate I need to include an anemone in the livestock list most likely a Macrodactyla doreensis; hopefully it'll stay out of the stack. My corals are a 65/35 sps/mix I'm looking to exile my breeding snail population to the refugium for a non-chemical pest control ;)

[patrick28]

I was wondering about the Red head wrasses. In all the books I have they just show the male. is this because the male and female look the same or are they all born as males then change? Maybe no photographs have been taken of females? Anyhow I have a Red head wrasse and I would like to add a female. Anybody ever see one or even hear of one. Thanks in advance. Oh yeah do you think to males would work also?

[Jacob D]

I have a bunch of questions; lets start with how deep a sand bed should I plan for, and how much area should it be. I'm wanting to partition off a bed. Say I plan for two Halichoeres in a 4' 140, would I be safe planning a Bodianus? What about two a candy and a peppermint? How will Cirrhilabrus mix with them? Last for now, I'm really liking the spectrum foods, and liking more being off frozen; how will these wrasses fit into a once or twice feeding schedule, and will they take well to these pellets?

I don't have any experience mixing them with hogfish but mine get along with my Cirrhilabrus fine. My sandbed is only about 1 1/2 inches, no problems here.

With regard to feeding... once or twice daily? Yes, that should be fine (more feedings are better). Both of mine eat NLS pellet and everything else that I feed. They have also decimated my flatworm population (mainly the dusky has, but both fish eat them).

[Jacob D]

I was wondering about the Red head wrasses. In all the books I have they just show the male. is this because the male and female look the same or are they all born as males then change? Maybe no photographs have been taken of females? Anyhow I have a Red head wrasse and I would like to add a female. Anybody ever see one or even hear of one. Thanks in advance. Oh yeah do you think to males would work also?

The key would be to get a juvenile fish to introduce to your male. I've never seen a juvi/sub-adult offered for sale. You might have to source one from a collector. Les at Wet Pets Hawaii is one such person you could put a request in with.

[blennielove]

Hello Everyone,
Just an update on the Melanurus - he is not doing well. He did wake up this morning but is doing that spiraling thing that wrasses do when they are heading south...It's a scene that breaks my heart.
The Christmas wrasse is doing well.

Here is my question about selection and what I'm really supposed to be looking for in a healthy wrasse:
I know that when my LFS got this shipment in, it was November 3rd. I saw them on November 6th and they had two Melanurus, one Christmas, one Scott's and they had placed them all in their sanded cubicles in their coral section. On the 6th, they were all swimming actively, with the Christmas wrasse the "late" riser. One of the Melanurus (the one I ended up purchasing) ate spectrum pellets on November 6 (three days after the LFS got him) while the others passed the pellets for frozen mysis. I waited till November 16th to get him, I was also thinking about the Christmas wrasse, but passed her up that day after I heard from the lady who feeds them at the shop that "Oh, she's been hiding more over the past couple of days". Before I decided to purchase him, I checked him over for thickness, and responsiveness. He was coming to the surface for food and ate Specturm pellets eagerly. I brought him home, acclimated to tank temperature, did a temperature/pH matched fresh water dip of 20 minuts and placed him into the display. For the next two weeks, he was a champ, comes begging for food as I walk into the room and eating very well, so well, that he had that figure 8 look - if you take a cross section is like having one smaller oval sitting on a larger oval. Five days ago, he started acting a little strange with NO changes in the tank. He would hover at one end of the tank and not as alert to food or Spectrum which he previously loved. I checked the parameters - Ammonia 0, Nitrate 0, Nitrate 10, pH 8.4, temperature 80. I slowly decreased the temperature over 3 days to 78 now. Then, stupid me, didn't really think much of it and went and bought the Christmas wrasse on 12/8. I acclimated the Christmas wrasse pretty much the same way, she is doing well. She has no interest in the pellets but is taking mysis, frozen formula one well.

Am I missing something in the way I select wrasses? I specify "wrasses" because I don't have anything like this when it comes to any other fish.

I check their appearance - Eyes for brightness, fullness, mouth and fins/scales for damage. Then I check they way they swim, do they look like they are balanced, not sluggish or rocking side to side. Then I do what I thought was the ultimate test, to see if they eat pellets. If all of the above checked out, then I bring them home. Oh, and I also make sure that the LFS has had them for around two weeks time.

I must be missing something or doing something wrong. As I shared earlier, my track record for wrasses have been grim.

So, please point out my mistakes and I will make changes.

I really love wrasses and nothing would make me happy to not be so afraid of bringing them home and seeing them die in less than one month.

My hubby gave me the ickiest look this morning when I told him that the Melanurus was not doing well...ICKY!

Thanks!

Oh, by the way. I turned off the lights in the Melanurus tank today and plan on leaving it off all day since he is out but not digging back into the sand and his tank mates are not being nice to him when he goes into their area...

[Jacob D]

Blennie, sorry to hear about your melanurus.

It sounds like you have done due dilligence at the LFS. I don't know that you have done anything wrong. It could be that along the CoC the fish was traumatized, or that it has internal parasites, or other isses. In any case here are two key points that stand out to me.


1) Leaving the fish at the LFS for ~ 2 weeks
2) Freshwater dip for 20 minutes


Starting with point #2 first, that seems like a long time to dip a fish. I would think that this would be stressful for the fish. As far as leaving the fish at the fish store, I understand your rationale but here are a few potential downsides... There is more chance for the fish to come into contact with diseases/pests which it may not have already had. More time spent in a cube can be stressful, or even dangerous for "darting" fish. If the fish get spooked and dart for a hiding place they're likely to run into a wall and have trauma. This all depends on the LFS and the specific situation of course.

I think both of the points have a common solution - quarantine. By having your own QT you eliminate the need for FW dip and the need to leave the fish at the LFS, you can give the fish some downtime by itself and observe for problems. Sometimes fish die in QT of course, but IMO that's always better than having them dead/dying in your tank with unknown issues. Just something to think about...

[blennielove]

Jacob,

Thanks for your thoughts.

You are right, many people I know on this forum, do purchase the fish right out of the box! And how un-natural and STRESSFUL for it is for a fish to be in a cubicle when it needs swimming room, not to mention the possible pathogens it will be exposed to!

The 20 minute dip is longish but from my experience (which pales from many people here), they do not mind it much at all.

I'll be honest about QT, I've had reallly miserable experiences with a twenty gallon...
I should have a 55 gallon QT - that will be my "next" plan! I had a 55 gallon QT but that one mysteriously morphed into a full blown reef tank...I have NO CLUE how that happend!
So to prevent any morphing in the future, I will have it set up back in the water making room - dark most of the time, very little traffic...

I will keep my mind open with everyone's expertise!

:)

[60G]

:celeb1:my melanurus finally started eating to day

[SaraB]

Here's a pic my friend took of my Red-Head Wrasse - Male (Halichoeres rubricephalus). I've had him since early February of 2010.

http://www.gparr.com/photos/albums/userpics/10001/redheadwrassesarab9-29-10a.jpg

[Ralph ATL]

Beautiful fish! Wow! I'll have to teach your friend how to take photographs though, lol.

[SaraB]

Beautiful fish! Wow! I'll have to teach your friend how to take photographs though, lol.

Thanks! I don't even attempt to take a picture of my tank anymore since I have a friend with these incredible photography skills!

[Johnny C]

This thread has been nominated for November's Thread of the Month! You may vote here (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1954423)... Good luck! :)

[Cowgirlup9]

I will have to take a picture of my Christmas. She's so fast though. What are the best settings for taking pics of these speed racers?

[Jacob D]

This thread has been nominated for November's Thread of the Month! You may vote here (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1954423)... Good luck! :)

Nice! Good the see the Halichoeres getting some love afterall :)

[Jacob D]

Well, the H. Rubricephalus arrived today. Looks great, and I while I was expecting it to dive right into the sand has been swimming around a bit. Lights are off to reduce any stress, but I will try and get some pictures in the next few days.

Looking very healthy! I'm extremely pleased.


Hey Dave, how is the rubricephalus doing?

[Luiz Rocha]

Grats on the nomination! Voted! :) Since this is the place to find Halichoeres photos I will post some of mine (all underwater):

H. ornatissimus
http://www.luizrocha.com/wetpixel/H_ornatissimus.jpg

H. claudia
http://www.luizrocha.com/wetpixel/H_claudia.jpg

[Luiz Rocha]

H. brasiliensis
http://www.luizrocha.com/fish/H_brasiliensis.jpg

H. biocellatus
http://www.luizrocha.com/fish/H_biocellatus.jpg

More soon...

[skibum9884]

Hey Dave, how is the rubricephalus doing?

Hey Jacob, it's doing fantastically. I am extremely pleased. It destroys PE mysis, however doesn't seem to interested in pellets (it took a few when I first got it, but now doesn't seem interested. it gets excited when I feed pellets, but quickly realizes there's no mysis for him so will go about picking at my rockwork).

I'll try and get some pictures later, but please know they won't be up to the quality of the one that Kevin posted of it when it was for sale!

[Jacob D]

@Luiz
Thanks for the vote, I'm sure other Halichoeres owners will represent too! Those are some beautiful photos. That ornatissimus is very nice!!

@Dave,
That's great. It seems that the rubricephalus are actually hardy fish if you get a healthy one to begin with. Don't worry about the quality of the pics, everyone here will be happy just to see more wrasse pics :)



Question for anyone else who owns any Halichoeres - have you had any issues with them going after snails or crabs, or any aggression towards other fish? Both of mine totally ignore the clean up crew and there are no quarrels with other tank mates.

[iamwrasseman]

i would have downloaded tons of pictures here on rc if it were easy . in the past two days i downloaded 113 pictures of my tanks and fish with little to no effort . the website actually re sizes them for you why not here ?
if only we had

[skibum9884]

So, here are a few quick shots as requested, and much overdue!

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt23/douriel/IMG_1113.jpg

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt23/douriel/IMG_1114.jpg

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt23/douriel/IMG_1115.jpg

[gmigmi]

Here's a pic my friend took of my Red-Head Wrasse - Male (Halichoeres rubricephalus). I've had him since early February of 2010.

http://www.gparr.com/photos/albums/userpics/10001/redheadwrassesarab9-29-10a.jpg

Beautiful, this is the one helichores I have no luck with so far, have tried 3 already and none made it for a week.:confused:

[gmigmi]

[QUOTE=mr.maroonsalty;18038579]I have a bunch of questions; lets start with how deep a sand bed should I plan for, and how much area should it be. I'm wanting to partition off a bed. Say I plan for two Halichoeres in a 4' 140, would I be safe planning a Bodianus? What about two a candy and a peppermint? How will Cirrhilabrus mix with them? Last for now, I'm really liking the spectrum foods, and liking more being off frozen; how will these wrasses fit into a once or twice feeding schedule, and will they take well to these pellets?[/QUOTE

I do have a bondias masudai with my multiple helichores in my 240, I have seen no problems whatsoever.

[Jacob D]

Awesome Dave! Very nice fish, glad to hear he's doing so good. Is there a little damage to his tail, or is it just the camera angle?

I will have to take a picture of my Christmas. She's so fast though. What are the best settings for taking pics of these speed racers?

In general, shoot with a shutter speed at least 1/125 second, or faster. Wait for them to slow down, while they're checking out a potential tasty snack or whatever might have them preoccupied is an opportune time to snap a pic :)

[Jacob D]

I don't think I already mentioned it, but between my two Halichoeres my flatworm population has been decimated in a short time. Before I might have had hundreds, maybe even a thousand or more planaria visible on the glass of my tank, now maybe one or two individual worms. I'm actually happy there are a few still around... free fish food!

[langtudatinh01]

i only have a 40 breeder. i have a yellow Halichoere now with 2 clowns, and a yellow tail damsel. can i add a melanurus? i also have a 20 gallon sump with BM Nac6. Thanks.

[skibum9884]

Awesome Dave! Very nice fish, glad to hear he's doing so good. Is there a little damage to his tail, or is it just the camera angle?



In general, shoot with a shutter speed at least 1/125 second, or faster. Wait for them to slow down, while they're checking out a potential tasty snack or whatever might have them preoccupied is an opportune time to snap a pic :)

Jacob, there is actually a little damage to his tail. That occurred shortly after I introduced him. I have NO idea how it could have happened and no one in the tank is giving him any trouble! It's healing, however somewhat slowly.

[small alien]

My little baby yellow in QT. Barely an inch long. Not much there to take a pic of.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/smallalien/2011-01-03_13-40-45_324.jpgNJ

[MCCOOL]

Well I finally banished the shrimp to another tank and got myself a Halichoeres wrasse. I found a 2" H. melanarus that I couldn't pass up, she/it has a huge belly and started eating the day after arrival. It's currently in QT, here are a few pics, ignore the anthias they are camera hogs.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v618/jmccool03/1294861830.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v618/jmccool03/1294862610.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v618/jmccool03/1294862803.jpg

[sTefaniA]

I have two halichoeres chrysus.

they were small when I got them
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww183/sTefaniA_011/reeftank/IMG_9350.jpg

but they grew
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww183/sTefaniA_011/doorkijkbak/geel.jpg

[small alien]

Nice shots of a nice, fat fish. :bounce3:

[iamwrasseman]

very nice photos ! that bad boy certainly is fat and happy ~

[sTefaniA]

very nice photos ! that bad boy certainly is fat and happy ~

I told you all my fish are overweight, because I feed alot to get my neoguinaicus fat :)

I have two bad boys btw. Both of my chrysus are males.

[Sheol]

You know, you guys are really EVIL! I'm so short of cash, and what do you know? Here are all these beautiful fish. And me, finally got room for a couple of new fis.
However, I'm betting my T. lunare would object to more wrasses in its new home. Starting to get adult colors now, so I don't trust it like I did when it was a baby.
These pics are still *Awfully* tempting!

Matthew

[gambitcobra]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1215&pictureid=14323
http://reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1215&pictureid=14322

i have had him for about a year now. Doesnt bother no one in the tank

[small alien]

Wow. So pretty. Did you get it as a male?

[frankpayne32]

This thread has really inspired me. I am definitely going to order a Radiant wrasse.

[NeverlosT]

I have a big melanarus, have had him for a year and change, definitely my favorite fish in the tank. Tons of color, lots of personality. Always hungry! So hungry that he likes to eat my cleanup crew, my peppermint shrimp, heck, even my sand sifter starfish is missing two arms!! poor guy!

But the wrasse is worth it. I am considering getting another. I am going to do some research on them. Is it possible to buy another small H. Melanarus and end up with a pair? Do they exhibit any interesting behavior as a pair or am I better off just going for variety and getting a different type of Halichoeres?

Lots of great pics here, if I can snap a good one when I get home, I will add it to the thread!

oh, and to weigh in on the bedtime talk, my wrasse hops in the sand about 35 minutes before the lights go out, every day right on time! It is pretty amazing the biological clock these guys keep to not be late for bedtime.

[Jacob D]

Bump for more wrasse love :)

[reefsic]

Just sharing...

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_E3IDTjM6-Ps/TURui0Rf7ZI/AAAAAAAABOY/pfQFeTmDOuo/s640/IMG_4607.jpg

[small alien]

What a regal looking fish you have there.

[jessp]

Nice fish and pics.

[ReefAnon]

Here's mine :)

Had him about a year, model tank citizen apart from kicking up the sand now and again. Great hunter and loves the occasional zoa spider.

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss249/AcanQueen/Corals/_MCG4346.jpg

[iamwrasseman]

niceeeeeeeeeee !

[Jacob D]

Awesome! Keep those photos coming!

We haven't seen many pics yet of H. leucurus (gray head), richmondi, hortulanus (checkered), annularis, or marginatus (dusky). Anyone keeping these and holding out on us?

[h0bite]

Could someone post a picture of a real Christmas Wrasse. I saw too different pictures of this fish. Some people call it Ornatissimus or Claudia. So...Thanks very much.
David

[MCCOOL]

A LFS near me has a beautiful checkerboard wrasse (H. hortulanus) that's about 3". I'd love to buy it, but I've read that can reach almost a foot. Is this common in aquariums? That's a little big for my 60g haha

[38bill]

Could someone post a picture of a real Christmas Wrasse. I saw too different pictures of this fish. Some people call it Ornatissimus or Claudia. So...Thanks very much.
David

There are a couple of different wrasse that are called a Christmas wrasse. Go to post 31 and you will find a photo of my Ornate Wrasse (Halichoeres ornatissimus).

[whorulz1147]

Does anyone know of an online store that carries H. Biocellatus?

[Luiz Rocha]

Could someone post a picture of a real Christmas Wrasse. I saw too different pictures of this fish. Some people call it Ornatissimus or Claudia. So...Thanks very much.
David

This thread will answer most of your questions about ornatissimus versus claudia IDs:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1715181

[Luiz Rocha]

Does anyone know of an online store that carries H. Biocellatus?

I don't know, they should be easy to find as they are present in major fish export locations like Fiji, although they are not very common there. The places where these guys are most common are Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. Here a photo of one in Guam:

http://www.luizrocha.com/fish/H_biocellatus.jpg

[Sheol]

I saw several beautiful members of this Wrasse Genus today. I feel an ache in my wallet coming on!

Matthew

[h0bite]

Thank you very much Luiz. One more question now, how can I make the difference between the male and female Ornatissimus ?
I looked on the net. and didn't found the answer.
Thank
David

[Luiz Rocha]

Thank you very much Luiz. One more question now, how can I make the difference between the male and female Ornatissimus ?
I looked on the net. and didn't found the answer.
Thank
David

Halichoeres in this group, which includes ornatissimus, claudia, cosmetus, biocellatus, and a few others, don't change color much between sexes. Females are usually smaller and have a larger dark spot along the dorsal, males are larger and have a much smaller dark spot (sometimes they completely lose it).

[langtudatinh01]

those melanurus are beautiful. i have a yellow wrasse, a ornate leopard, yellowtail damsel, 2 ocellaris clowns. Could i add a melanurus? tank is small at 40 breeder with 20 sump. i want a bigger tank.

[small alien]

I think you know the answer to that. ;) Get your bigger tank first. Like, tomorrow morning.

[langtudatinh01]

haha, small alien. i wish i could. there is nothing up here on stock and for a 180 gallons stocked tank from Aqueon will cost me easily a limb (about 1000 bucks, just the tank no stand or hood). i have to plan my dream tank for years to come..................... have been planning for 2 years and keep on planning.

[h0bite]

Hey Luiz, a question again. The melanurus wrasse is in Halichoeres kind or Platyglossus.
Thank
David

[Luiz Rocha]

Hey Luiz, a question again. The melanurus wrasse is in Halichoeres kind or Platyglossus.
Thank
David

Ah... Good question, the taxonomy of this entire group is a big mess. Some genetic work suggests that Halichoeres should be split into several smaller genera, and Platyglossus is one of them. The problem is that there is no morphological diagnosis for those "new" genera, and the genetics work that suggested splitting did not include about 40% of all Halichoeres out there, so the question is far from resolved.

The fact of not having all Halichoeres in the genetic tree of relationships have many consequences. First, relationships may change if you add more species to the tree. Second, there are several other genus names available out there, so let's say we start calling this particular species Platyglossus, but as we add more species to the tree we find one with an older genus name that fits in this branch, and then we have to change the name again (in taxonomy we always have to use the oldest name). So, because of this, my suggestion is that we keep using Halichoeres until we have a more complete combined (genetics and morphology) analysis. And that is what is reflected in the Catalog of Fishes, the one source for fish naming issues:

http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/Ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp

You can search for any species in the link above, and look for "Current Status", that should tell you what the valid name is.

Hope I wasn't too technical, but let me know if you have more questions.

[small alien]

Far from it, Luiz, it's fascinating. We are very lucky to have you as a part of our discussions on RC. Thanks! :love1:

[h0bite]

Thanks you very much Luiz. That is clear now (more clear). I will tell you if I got other question. Have a nice day.
I ask you questions about wrasse, I really like this kind of fish. My friend got a 550 gallons, and almost all hes fish are wrasses. And that really beautiful, these fish are always moving and searching for some meat. And there color are awesome.
Thank
David
And sorry about my english. I am from french part of Canada :)

[Korrine]

I have a big melanarus, have had him for a year and change, definitely my favorite fish in the tank. Tons of color, lots of personality. Always hungry! So hungry that he likes to eat my cleanup crew, my peppermint shrimp, heck, even my sand sifter starfish is missing two arms!! poor guy!

But the wrasse is worth it. I am considering getting another. I am going to do some research on them. Is it possible to buy another small H. Melanarus and end up with a pair? Do they exhibit any interesting behavior as a pair or am I better off just going for variety and getting a different type of Halichoeres?



Yes I'm sure you could a couple small ones. There is an article on these Reefkeeping magazine. Google and it should come right up. Search: Melanurus Reefkeeping magazine

You could probably add one more species depending on tank size and tank mates.

[Korrine]

Don't remember if I posted before. Here was my girl! When I tore down my tank I sold her to a friend. He had a 125g tank....what'd you know. She was torn apart by his 6 line...in a 125! Crazy 6line!

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg200/kj23502/sw%20tank/P2050326.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg200/kj23502/sw%20tank/PB150341.jpg

And in QT.


http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg200/kj23502/sw%20tank/024-2.jpg

[ataller]

How much pressure do these guys put on the pod populations that mandarins feed on?

A full sized Vrolik's for example would be much larger than my male mandarin. It doesn't seem like they would be eating the same size pod.

Thoughts, before I buy one and start my Mandarin?

Adam

[MCCOOL]

A halichoeres wrasse will definitely put a strain on the pod population, I wouldn't keep the two together unless the tank is big and has a big, productive refuge. It'll also help if the mandarin eats prepared food.

[ataller]

Tank is 120, and I have a 60G fuge in the basement and a 75G sump.

Madarins (M+F) are very fat, wouldn't want them any other way. Looks like no Vrolik's for me.

Thanks,

Adam

[lcs]

Here’s my new H. melanurus. He's just starting to get the blue triangles on his back. QT pics, going into the DT this weekend!! The clown too! :D

He’s actually the second one I brought home. When I purchased the first one, when I got him in QT I noticed a wound just in front of his pelvic fin :(, so I took him back and exchanged him for the one I currently have. My LFS actually had four of them at the time! What a little piggy, too; he’ll eat whatever I put in the tank. I do have some flatworms which I’m glad he’ll take care of, but I’m pretty sure he’ll also do away with all the teeny, tiny snails I have all over the DT. Oh well, it’s all a trade off.

I actually caught him getting out of bed this morning. Just his tail was still in the sand. I've been wanting to catch him going to bed, but he's usually in the sand before 6:00pm, the lazy bum!

http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz251/lisaside/IMG_4346.jpg

http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz251/lisaside/IMG_4356.jpg

http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz251/lisaside/IMG_4348.jpg

[skibum9884]

You'll see that as time passes he'll adjust to your timing a bit better. I think since they sleep in the sand it takes them longer to adjust. This is what has happened with mine.

Just think of it as super-bad jetlag!

[sTefaniA]

chrysus male close up

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww183/sTefaniA_011/doorkijkbak/9187.jpg

[small alien]

Outstanding! I can't wait until my little guy colors up like that!

[lcs]

chrysus male close up
Beautiful shot and fish!!

[iamwrasseman]

yes thats a cool one there !

[DeniseAndy]

I got my new little guy on Sunday and put him in QT. I noticed a raised area on him and began treating with Maracyn II. Does anyone have any experience with this type of treatment for this type of condition. Could not find much info on what I am seeing, but my last mel hid for three days and I found dead. He had a similar patch on him. However the first was much older than this juvi.

thanks.

[DeniseAndy]

Poor guy passed on Thursday after treating with Maracyn II and Metronidazole to no signs of improvement. When he got worse, I tried a freshwater dip. At that point it could not get worse for him. He could not stay upright or barely breathe.

He had an open sore on the side, but no signs of any other obvious parasites. I did not necropsy him. I will guess bacterial (possibly Dropsy).

I have not had luck with these guys at all. Any suggestions?

[Korrine]

This a beautiful picture of a Halichoeres chrysotaenia or "Vrolik's Wrasse" from Quality Marine's article that was emailed today.

http://www.qualitymarine.com/News/Company-News/pick-of-the-week-%2804/01/11%29

[small alien]

Wow! So similar looking to Leopards.

[skraj011]

this is a terrific thread.

I just got an Earmuff wrasse - H. melasmapomus/xanti. He will go into a 125 with a vrolik's and other wrasses.

He is in QT right now and is hiding in the sand, but when he gets out and about I'll snap a photo.

Anyone have one of these guys? There isn't a lot of info out there, but they seem like typical hardy halichoeres.

[aandfsoccr04]

Thought I'd give this thread a bump. A really good read with a lot of great pictures. Feel free to update the pictures or post some of your own.
:fish1:

[iamwrasseman]

yup i have a few new awesome wrasses and need to get some snaps of them so i can post for ya all .

[nanoreefer1000]

WOW! Awesome wrasse everybody!

[flfireman1]

Wanted to resurredt this thread...

Dusky wrasse (Halichoeres marginatus)

<a href="http://s1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/?action=view&amp;current=IMG_3923.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/IMG_3923.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/?action=view&amp;current=IMG_3920.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/IMG_3920.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/?action=view&amp;current=IMG_3944.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/IMG_3944.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[iamwrasseman]

very nice my friend !!!!!

[flfireman1]

very nice my friend !!!!!

Thank you.

Here is another, Hoevens or Melanurus wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus)

<a href="http://s1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/?action=view&amp;current=IMG_3957.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/IMG_3957.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/?action=view&amp;current=IMG_3947.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/IMG_3947.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Although this fish looks much more blue in color than it does green in person.

[evolved]

Here's a species I've kept for over a year now; Halichoeres timorensis. I've only seen a handful of these ever offered in the trade, and there's not much info about them out there. I've had no real trouble with these, besides losing one of the females right away due to shipping stress. :( Big bummer there. The pair has done just fine, and I am able to witness them do their courting ritual every day. They'll chase each other, usually in circles and take turns as to who's doing the chasing.

Original DD photo:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/af360/evolvedx/Saltwater%20Tank/lg-0511111-433t.jpg

I take terrible photos, but here's what I have:
Male:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/af360/evolvedx/Saltwater%20Tank/DSCN1249.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/af360/evolvedx/Saltwater%20Tank/DSCN1243.jpg

Female, from a year ago to now:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/af360/evolvedx/Saltwater%20Tank/DSCN1238.jpg
http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af360/evolvedx/Saltwater%20Tank/2012-05-28_20-13-25_990.jpg

I also keep a male H. melanurus with these without much issue. However, I did have a H. chrysus I was forced to remove upon introduction of these H. timorensis; was clearly going to be the demise of these if I did not.

[Jasanden]

My Biocellatus changing
http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss326/jasanden/IMG_0726.jpg

[sTefaniA]

I replaced my chrysus wrasses with a pair of rubricephalus.

The male still needs some coloring up
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww183/sTefaniA_011/doorkijkbak/DSCN4273.jpg

The female is doing great
http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww183/sTefaniA_011/doorkijkbak/DSCN4264.jpg

[flfireman1]

Very nice, you are fortunate to find a pair. Ive never really seen a female rubicephalus. Its even rare to find a male in my area. I purchased one about a year ago, but didnt have luck with him. It never ate and perished a few days after. Good luck with yours, beautiful fish!!!

[Jacob D]

I popped in for a quick second today and was happy to find this thread still alive and going. Even though I'm pretty much done with the hobby I'll always hold a special place for Halichoeres sp. wrasses... especially the Dusky who was one of my favorites!

[Chooch1]

Stefania,
Nice pair of rubricephalus. It looks to me like the female may be starting to change to male. This species is one of my favorites. Please keep us updated on how your pair does. They have very poor survival rate due to suspected collection issues.

[sTefaniA]

Stefania,
Nice pair of rubricephalus. It looks to me like the female may be starting to change to male. This species is one of my favorites. Please keep us updated on how your pair does. They have very poor survival rate due to suspected collection issues.

I have found only one picture of a female online and she looks exactly the same. She doesnt look like she is changing and they always swim together.

I know about the collection issues. According to my wholesaler they are hand collected with no poison and they spent three weeks in QT at the lfs. They have been in my tank for two weeks now, swimming around since day 1 and eating very well.

I don't suspect any problems with this pair, fingers crossed.

[mnchartier]

Heres mine
http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/yy30/mchartier2344/Travis%20Tank/Wrasse/DSC_0737.jpg

[Moort82]

Few more for the thread

halichoeres nebulosus

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee369/blueseaaquatics1/fish/153.jpg

Halichoeres cosmetes

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee369/blueseaaquatics1/fish/209.jpg

Halichoeres iridis

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee369/blueseaaquatics1/fish/202-1.jpg

young Halichoeres annularis

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee369/blueseaaquatics1/fish/141-1.jpg

Halichoeres chloropterus

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee369/blueseaaquatics1/fish/133-2.jpg

Halichoeres hortulanus

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee369/blueseaaquatics1/fish/blueseajuly005.jpg

sadly none of these are mine

[stuifbol]

:crazy1::crazy1: Nice pair Stefanie.....where did you bought them?? I really want them to,but they are very hard to find....
thnx Joeri
I have found only one picture of a female online and she looks exactly the same. She doesnt look like she is changing and they always swim together.

I know about the collection issues. According to my wholesaler they are hand collected with no poison and they spent three weeks in QT at the lfs. They have been in my tank for two weeks now, swimming around since day 1 and eating very well.

I don't suspect any problems with this pair, fingers crossed.

[johnike]

My Halichoeres leucoxanthus
http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p361/john_eichwedel/005-31.jpg

[sTefaniA]

Stefania,
Nice pair of rubricephalus. It looks to me like the female may be starting to change to male. This species is one of my favorites. Please keep us updated on how your pair does. They have very poor survival rate due to suspected collection issues.

I've had the pair for 4 months now and they are doing great. Still male/female.
They are shy and similar to anampses wrasses regarding behaviour and feeding. They always stay close to the rocks. I will post some pics soon.


Joeri, I got them from Theo.

[sTefaniA]

Oh and I'm thinking about adding a dusky pair. I like them but my boyfriend thinks they get really big and ugly when they get old.

[Chooch1]

Stefania,
Thanks for the update. Looking forward to the updated pics. I was able to obtain a male similar to yours recently. I would agree that they are somewhat shy.

[stuifbol]

Thnx Stefanie:wave:
nice to hear they still do great:bounce2:I've had the pair for 4 months now and they are doing great. Still male/female.
They are shy and similar to anampses wrasses regarding behaviour and feeding. They always stay close to the rocks. I will post some pics soon.


Joeri, I got them from Theo.

[Lions Kin]

Glad I found this thread, some of my favorite fishes.

My Hoevens (Halichoeres melanurus)
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115/DustyIsKewl/Fish%20Tank/_CSC0528.jpg
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o115/DustyIsKewl/Fish%20Tank/DSC_0392.jpg

[flfireman1]

Wanted to keep this thread going......... some of my Halichoeres species I own.

Dusky Wrasse
http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/IMG_4211.jpg

Radiant Wrasse
http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/IMG_4222.jpg

Gray Headed Wrasse
http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/IMG_4205.jpg

http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b420/flfireman/IMG_4218.jpg

[Moort82]

Not mine but thought i should share

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee369/blueseaaquatics1/fish/072-4.jpg

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee369/blueseaaquatics1/fish/051-3.jpg

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee369/blueseaaquatics1/fish/031-2.jpg

again not mine. Listed as a aussie blue tail wrasse but a h. melanurus isn't it.

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee369/blueseaaquatics1/fish/068-3.jpg

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee369/blueseaaquatics1/fish/059-2.jpg

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee369/blueseaaquatics1/fish/058-1.jpg

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee369/blueseaaquatics1/fish/042-2.jpg

[sTefaniA]

That red head is beautiful. Why doesnt mine look like that... It used to be gorgeous but now... not so much.

I am a little disappointed in this fish. Expensive, beautiful at first, but then he got older and instead of green with red head, it's green with yellow neck and reddish head.

[Moort82]

How big is yours? The red head above is actually two from a lfs. Both are well over 4" probably 5" with the tail and the head really is that red. What i have found says they are only normally around 4" and i've no idea of the geographical location. They were both £60 each so not cheap but i thought a really good price. The evergreen body with blue cevron makes them tunning in itself but the face is a bonus.
The first and third picture are the one which is more active and feeding well but the other one in picture two is pacing and taking food but spitting it out again, it does have a brighter red face though.

[sTefaniA]

How big is yours? The red head above is actually two from a lfs. Both are well over 4" probably 5" with the tail and the head really is that red. What i have found says they are only normally around 4" and i've no idea of the geographical location. They were both £60 each so not cheap but i thought a really good price. The evergreen body with blue cevron makes them tunning in itself but the face is a bonus.
The first and third picture are the one which is more active and feeding well but the other one in picture two is pacing and taking food but spitting it out again, it does have a brighter red face though.

I'm sorry, forgot to answer.
Mine is not extremely big, full grown 5"
I've had it for 8 months, I don't know exactly. I do know it was expensive, I got a pair but the female turned male and then disappeared. The existing male looked nice, but the bigger it gets, the uglier...

I payed 180$ for the pair. When I got them the male looked fine, just like any other young male I had seen and I expected it to turn out gorgeous.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww183/sTefaniA_011/doorkijkbak/DSCN4273.jpg

And now this is what I have.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww183/sTefaniA_011/PC140006.jpg

And yes, this is his actual color. I'm not happy about it...

[hybrid]

stefania in my opinion i like yours better i never seen one with yellow like that

[pinnatus]

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o195/garrettjrkp/Fish/PC070391-1.jpg

[evolved]

^ Coris gaimard

Not a Halichoeres I'm afraid.

[pinnatus]

^ Coris gaimard

Not a Halichoeres I'm afraid.

Oops, my bad.

[stuifbol]

Stefanie,
indeed it's more beautifull with the real red head....the colors look a bit washed out...maybe it's got something to do with the absence off female's in the tank...and that's not unusual for wrasses.
grtz
I'm sorry, forgot to answer.
Mine is not extremely big, full grown 5"
I've had it for 8 months, I don't know exactly. I do know it was expensive, I got a pair but the female turned male and then disappeared. The existing male looked nice, but the bigger it gets, the uglier...

I payed 180$ for the pair. When I got them the male looked fine, just like any other young male I had seen and I expected it to turn out gorgeous.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww183/sTefaniA_011/doorkijkbak/DSCN4273.jpg

And now this is what I have.

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww183/sTefaniA_011/PC140006.jpg

And yes, this is his actual color. I'm not happy about it...

[HiImSean]

:) got my first wrasse today, a melanarus wrasse! i'll take a pic when he/she re-emerges from the sand

[nickman]

What a great thread, very informative and plenty of great pictures! Im planning an upgrade and was planning to move towards a little bit more of an "aggressive" reef (no shrimp or little fish) which will definitely include as many Halichoeres wrasses as I have room for. Been looking at H. iridis, melanurus, chrysotaenia, biocellatus and chrysus. The are all relatively affordable an beautiful so it will boil down to availability and compatibility.

Keep those pics coming!

[HiImSean]

finally got some decent pics today of mine
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r152/HiInSean/fish/LEDS154_zps00f5863b.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r152/HiInSean/fish/LEDS139_zpseac9193f.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r152/HiInSean/fish/LEDS169_zps107c9ca5.jpg

[stuifbol]

Finally found 2 Rubricephalus today,and bought them :dance:

[SushiGirl]

Glad I found this thread.

Halichoeres chrysus male
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6622883741_f6710d6eb0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/6622883741/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7291997136_5e65f6d767_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/7291997136/)

Halichoeres melanurus female
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8365/8552222609_4d246427ca_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8552222609/)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8093/8552222761_5993f315c1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/99248541@N00/8552222761/)

[stuifbol]

some horrible pics of the Rubri's:facepalm:
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af106/stuifbol/DSC_0088_zpsb2b6d867.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/stuifbol/media/DSC_0088_zpsb2b6d867.jpg.html)
http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/af106/stuifbol/DSC_0087_zpsbf1e0b3e.jpg (http://s998.photobucket.com/user/stuifbol/media/DSC_0087_zpsbf1e0b3e.jpg.html)
Finally found 2 Rubricephalus today,and bought them :dance:

[small alien]

Ooo la la.

[djkms]

Often overlooked and easily forgotten but I love the little guy!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/Dr_digitaL/IMG_6445.jpg

I mean, how many solid green fish are there in saltwater?

[sTefaniA]

Often overlooked and easily forgotten but I love the little guy!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/Dr_digitaL/IMG_6445.jpg

I mean, how many solid green fish are there in saltwater?

It won't be green for long. Once it becomes an adult all you have is a big grey greenish fish. Mine got to 9" before I sold him.

Like this one but bigger.

http://www.the-diveinn.com/sites/default/files/images/Green-Spotted%20Wrasse%20(Halichoeres%20Chloropterus).preview.jpg

[SushiGirl]

I didn't know they didn't stay green, great information to have. I love them when they're bright green.

[Moort82]

The green does certainly seem to fade with a majority of these and age. I have seen some which have neared the colour of juvi's but not very often. I'm not sure if its the same with other wrasse species like the dragon where some of the colour seems to make it through, ie boring drab specimens get worse and ones with nice greenish colouration are more likely to be "prettier".
Going back to Halichoeres chloropterus, ocassionally you see one in adult colouration with a black thumb spot on the body. Does anyone know if this is a regional variation? I've seen something similar in h melanurus

[evolved]

^ Randall's photos make that apparent in the Philippines and Indonesia, but I don't know beyond that.

http://www.fishbase.org/photos/thumbnailssummary.php?ID=4859

[tylersarah]

My Earmuff Wrasse in the fuge soon to be moving to the main tank, again.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/20785_10151543417068114_2141927230_n.jpg

Now, I always thought she was the smaller H. Xanti, but how do I know it's not the larger, H. Melasmapomus? Since I am questioning things here, can anyone tell if it's a she?

And for the record, I had to dig this fish out of the sand twice to move her from the tank because the falco hawkfish was terrorizing her, and she has recovered wonderfully.

[tylersarah]

In case anyone wondered, it is true, I took the picture of the butterflyfish in the avatar and the grainy wrasse picture :rolleye1:

Sarah