About the Ornate Wrasse - Halichoeres ornatissimus
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A Saltwater Aquariums Fish Profile by your Guides
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- Guides Care Rating Level:
- Other Common Names: Christmas Wrasse.
- Hawaiian Names: O-hu-a, La-'o, and Pa-'a-we'la.
- Scientific Name: Halichoeres ornatissimus (Garrett, 1863).
- Distribution: Includes the Hawaiian area, Johnston Island, and central Polynesia.
- Average Size: To about 7 inches.
- Minimum Tank Size Suggested: 55 gallons.
- Habitat: Bottom-dweller; mainly found around sandy areas with coral rubble and stones present.
- Identification: The head is red marked with horizontal green lines; the throat and belly are blue; each scale is marked by a vertical, cresent-shaped stripe followed by blue. The dorsal fin is dark red with a row of dark green oblong shaped spots on the lower part of the fin; the outer part is marked with a green band; the far outside edge of the fin is trimmed with a very thin blue line; two black spots are present on the dorsal fin, and a small, vertical, black mark is just behind the eye, which is a significant marking when identifying this species. When this fish is under tank lights, the green bands have an almost pearlescent appearance. Because of its red and green colors, this fish is often referred to as a Christmas Wrasse. However, the Thalassoma trilobatum species is the "true" Christmas Wrasse, with the male species of Thalassoma purpureum (Surge or Purple Wrasse) being nearly identical.
- Characteristics & Compatibility: As with most Wrasses, the Ornate Wrasse buries itself in the sand when frightened or while sleeping at night for protection. Because this Wrasse does not grow very big, it is a nice species to have in an aquarium. It will not make a mess out of your decorations or rock arrangements like other larger species may do when trying to hide. When keeping this Wrasse, or any others that bury themselves, it is important to keep the substrate cleaned and maintained regularly, as this fish can easily pick up internal and external bacterial and fungal infections from detritus build up in the sand or gravel. Is a non-aggressive species that is compatible with other fishes and is safe with corals, but may be a threat to fanworms, small hermit crabs, snails, and ornamental shrimps. It is interesting to watch this fish, as you may observe it flipping small rocks or stones over in search of food.
- Diet & Feeding: The Ornate Wrasse is a carnivore. Its main diet consists of small crustaceans and invertebrates. In captivity it well feed on meaty fares such as fresh or frozen seafoods, dried, frozen or live brine and mysid shrimp, live grass shrimp, as well as flake foods. Recommended to feed several times a day.
- Guides Care Rating Level:
- Notes From Your Guides: This is fish that adapts fairly well to aquarium life, but because of its nature to burrow in the substrate, care needs to taken to keep the aquarium maintained regularly to avoid possible problems with internal and external bacterial and fungal infections.
- More About Wrasses: To learn more about the overall identification, characteristics, diet and feeding habits of Wrasses, read our Wrasse Fish Family Profile.
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Wrasse Fish Care & Photo Resources
Other Reference Resources
"Fishes of Hawaii" by Spencer W. Tinker.
"Marine Fishes:500+Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species"
by Scott W. Michael.
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