Halichoeres iridis

Randall & Smith, 1982

Orangehead Wrasse

Range: Western Indian Ocean: East Africa to Natal South Africa, Madagascar, Seychelles and Chagos Archipelago.

Size: 4 inches (11 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits sandy and rubble areas on steep seaward reefs and usually found at depths between 3 – 100 feet (1–30 m) where it feeds mainly on zooplankton.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade having a red body with colors becoming lighter at fin edges, and the head a yellowish green with red lines.

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.

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: 30 gallons

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

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5