Range: Central Pacific Ocean: Hawaiian and the Midway Islands

Size: Up to 12 in (30 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabit rocky areas on inshore reefs

General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 72 - 83°F (22 - 28°C) and has a natural diet of zooplankton, benthic invertebrate and some algae. Mostly requires a meaty diet with some algae, e.g., fortified brine shrimp, mysis, black worms, other meaty type frozen foods and some algae/green foods. Requires two or three feedings per day. May be very difficult to get feeding in the beginning, and if so, try some live foods like black worms. Should only be kept in aquaria with a deep sandbed as they bury themselves at night, and when so, may disturb bottom dwelling corals such as brain corals. Provide a fine-grained substrate of at least 4 inches (10 cm) in depth. These wrasses should be considered marginal reef or fish-only aquarium fishes, as they can be difficult to maintain for any length of time. Timid and not often seen in the trade. A poor shipper and one male per aquarium.

Aquarium Suitability: * & * *