Range: South Pacific Ocean: Pitcairn Group to the Great Barrier Reef

Size: Up to 5 in (12 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabit protected outer and inner reef and lagoon areas

General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 72 - 82°F (22 - 28°C) and has a natural diet of zooplankton. Requires a meaty diet, including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, black worms and other meaty type frozen foods. Should have two or three feedings per day. Males have a red back and flanks, with a white belly, dorsal and anal fins which are mostly red with electric blue markings, and long red pelvic fins. Also, the first couple of dorsal fin are quite elongated, as are the pelvic fins. Females are more subdued maroon color with thin blue stripes along the flanks, and less flamboyant fins. Males tend to change colors somewhat and seem more colorful is a female is in the aquarium. Also, the availability of a good diet seems to affect coloration, as do some tankmates.Even though two males can be kept in the same aquarium, one and several females would be a better mix. They make good reef aquarium inhabitants if supplied with ample crevices and caves. They don't bury themselves in the sand at night, as do many other wrasses. Instead, they form a mucus cocoon similar to some parrotfishes and/or wedge themselves into a rock crevice. It should be noted the cocoon remnants do not seem to harm water quality or other aquarium inhabitants. May hide for several days when introduced, and also a good jumper!

Aquarium Suitability: * & * *