Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Fishy Bizness 

Clepticus

Clepticus parrae

(Bloch & Schneider, 1801)

Creole Wrasse

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

 Clepticus parrae (Creole Wrasse)
Photo © Robert Patzner
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Real Reef Rock