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Elegant Wrasse Information, Facts, Photos and Pictures

By Stan & Debbie Hauter, About.com

Male Elegant Wrasse

Keoki Stender

Scientific Name:

Coris venusta.

Other Common Names:

Elegant Coris.

Distribution:

Endemic to Hawaii.

Maximum Size:

To 5".

Characteristics and Compatibility:

It is a shy at first, but once it gets used to being in an aquarium it becomes more bold and will take food out of your hand. The Eight-Lined Wrasse likes to hide, so be sure to give it plenty of cover.

Like most Wrasses, the Elegant Wrasse likes to burrow under the sand or substrate in your tank as a means of sleeping and protection. Be sure to keep the substrate clean for them. It is a fish that can pick up bacterial diseases both internal and external easily.

This Wrasse will assault smaller tankmates, shredding fins and removing scales with its large canine teeth. It preys upon snails, worms and urchins.

Diet and Feeding:

Like most fish in The Wrasse Fish Family, the Eight-Lined Wrasse is primarily a carnivore. It will eat some plant life, but its preference is for small shrimps and crabs. It will readily eat tank fed foods of almost any kind.

The Elegant Wrasse should be fed a diet of meaty foods, including Mysid Shrimp, finely chopped seafoods and enriched frozen foods. It should be fed twice per day.

Suggested Minimum Tank Size:

30 gallons.
Stan & Debbie Hauter
Guides since 1997

Stan & Debbie Hauter
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