Wrasses

Wrasses are an incredibly large and diverse group of fishes with many species that make outstanding aquarium specimens. Hardy, interesting, colorful, and relatively easy to keep, most wrasses are half a foot or less in length. Although not a scientific distinction, there are two kinds of wrasses for the aquarists to consider—reef-safe and not reef-safe.

The reef safe wrasse will not pick at nor consume corals or most invertebrates. They are some of the most colorful of the moderately-sized saltwater fish that can be incorporated into a reef aquarium. Many of these wrasse fish species are very active by nature and are nearly always swimming out in the open, adding activity and beauty to either a reef or peaceful fish-only aquarium.

The not reef safe wrasse are very beautiful and active fish that will make a wonderful addition to any moderate to large sized marine fish only aquarium. Because of their diet in nature, these fish are ill-suited for a reef aquarium, as they will readily consume most crabs, snails and tube worms. The ideal aquarium will have plenty of live rock for hiding and a sandy substrate for burrowing into at night.

• Green Bird Wrasse

  Gomphosus varius

• Argus Wrasse

  Halichoeres argus

• Brown Bird Wrasse

  Gomphosus varius

• Carpenter Flasher Wrasse

  Paracheilinus sp

• Cleaner Wrasse

  Labroides dimidiatus

• Clown Fairy Wrasse

  Cirrhilabrus solorensis

• Divided Wrasse; Maldives

  Macropharyngodon Sp

• Dragon Wrasse: Juv.

  Novaculichthys taeniourus

• Exquisite Wrasse

  Cirrhilabrus sp

• Filamented Flasher Wrasse

  Paracheilinus filamentosus

• Flame Wrasse; Haw.

  Female Cirrhilabrus jordani

• Flame Wrasse; Haw.

  Male Cirrhilabrus jordani

• Four line Wrasse; Haw.

  Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia

• Green Coris Wrasse

  Halichoeres chloroptereus

• Half-And-Half Thicklipwrasse: Juv

  Hemigymnus melapterus

• Harlequin Tusk; Aus.

  Lienardella fasciata

• Harlequin Tusk; Phi.

  Lienardella fasciata

• Leopard Wrasse

  Macropharyngodon meleagris

• Lineatus Fairy Wrasse: Male; Aus.

  Cirrhilabrus lineatus

• Lubbock’s Fairy-wrasse

  Cirrhilabrus lubbocki

• McCoskeri Flasher Wrasse: Male

  Paracheilinus mccoskeri

• Melanarus Wrasse: Male

  Halichoeres malanurus

• Mystery Wrasse; Marshall Is.

  Pseudocheilinus ocellatus

• Pylei Fairy Wrasse

  Cirrhilabrus pylei

• Radiant Wrasse; East Africa

  Halichoeres Sp

• Red Coris Wrasse: Haw.

  Coris gaimard

• Red Coris Wrasse: Juv.

  Coris gaimard

• Red Line Wrasse

  Halichoeres Sp

• Red-head Rainbow Wrasse: Male

• Rosy Scale Fairywrasse

  Cirrhilabrus sp

• Six Line Wrasse

  Pseudocheilinus hexataenia

• Slingjaw Wrasse: Female

  Epibulus insidiator

• Temminicki Fairy Wrasse: Male

  Cirrhilabrus temminicki (L)

• Whip-Fin Flasher Wrasse

  Paracheilinus sp

• X’Mas Wrasse; Hawaii

  Halichores Sp

• Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse

  Wetmorella nigropinnata

• Yellow Wrasse

  Halichoeres chrysus

• Yellow-cheek Tuskfish

  Choerodon anchorago