Halichoeres leucoxanthus

Randall & Smith, 1982

Canarytop Wrasse

Range: Indian Ocean: Andaman Sea.

Size: 5 inches (12 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits rubble and sandy areas along reef edges and usually found at depths between 30 – 200 feet (10 –60 m) where it feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade with males having a white lower body, yellow upper body and three black spots on the dorsal and one on the caudal peduncle. Females do not have black spots on the dorsal.

Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums having a fine sand bed, (0.5 – 2.0 mm) and at least 4 inches deep, along with several rocky crevices to hunt and also open swimming areas. It will also quickly burrow into the sand bed if frightened or for sleeping at night.

Requires a meaty diet, including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and other meaty type marine-based frozen or fresh foods, and should be fed twice daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Labroidei

Family: Labridae

Genus: Halichoeres

FYI: Upon first entering the aquarium may stay buried for days. Simply await its decision when to emerge. Once established, it will go to sleep under the sand and arise the next morning at almost the exact same time every day!

The aquarium should have small pieces of rocks for the wrasse to ‘play’ with in its daily search for prey.

One male per aquarium.

Experience Level: Beginner

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: With caution

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 60 gallons

Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5