Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Florida, Bermuda, Bahamas, and northern South America.
Size: 12 inches (30 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits seaward reef slopes and shallow patch reefs and usually found at depths between 25 – 300 feet (8– 90 m) where it feeds on zooplankton.
General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade with the males often having a bluish body with black on the forehead and yellow on the lower aft body. Colors vary greatly depending upon the age of the specimen, collection areas, and breeding timeframes.
Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums that should have ample crevices and caves, and peaceful tankmates.
As to diet, will eat most regular aquarium foods, e.g., finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc., and should be offered two to three times daily.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Labroidei
Family: Labridae
Genus: Clepticus
FYI: Covered aquariums, possibly with eggcrate, are necessary are necessary to prevent them from jumping out of the aquarium.
Males may be aggressive towards other fairy wrasses and zooplankton feeders in the aquarium and may also consume ornamental shrimp.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: Yes
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 150 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5