Latin name | Halichoeres cyanocephalus - (Bloch, 1791) |
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Local name | Yellowcheek wrasse |
Family | Labridae - Halichoeres |
Origin | The Mexican Golf, West Atlantic |
Max length | 30 cm (11.8") |
Minimum volume | 1000 l (264 gal) |
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Hardiness | Average |
Suitable for aquarium | Suitable with care |
Reef safe | Not reef safe |
Aggressiveness | Might be aggressive towards other species |
Recommended |
Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...) Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...) Zooplankton (Cyclops, pods...) |
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Mostly |
Other invertebrates |
Maybee |
Parasites |
This species likes to eat tubeworms.
This species is known to jump out of open aquaria.
This species like to move rocks and sometimes corals in the search for food.
These fish will hunt crustaceans, sea urchins and worms in an aquarium, very effectively.
This species needs a very large aquarium when fully grown.
Exactly how big the aquarium should be is hard to say, but the size of this species is such, that it cannot normally be kept in a home aquarium.
This species is very sensitive during transportation and acclimatizing into the aquarium.
This species needs a minimum of 2 inch (5 cm) of sand in the aquarium bottom, so it can dig itself down when afraid or needing to sleep.
This species functions best as a pair (one male, one female), or one male with several females.
This species can change gender from female to male.
When a male is needed, a female changes sex and takes on the role.
This species is known to feed on flatworms.
One can, of course be unlucky in having a specimen that refuses to eat them.
This species can be aggressive when kept together with fish that are very similar, or if they are not provided with adequate space.
This species can be used to combat Pyramid snails.
One can of course be unlucky in having an individual that refuses to eat them.
Fish of the genus Halichoeres are very populair in aquaria, as they are attractive and effective at eradicating flatworms and pyramid snails.
They are generally more peaceful than Pseudocheilinus hexataenia, which are often acquired to the same end. However, most fish of the Halichoeres genus will quickly become too large for smaller aquaria.
There is a difference in which food these fish live on, some on small invertebrates, whilst others can crush various crustaceans. Some species will take prey larger then themselves and smash it against rocks, so be aware of this when one has small fish, crabs, shrimps, snails etc. in the aquarium.
These Wrasses will dig themselves into the sand when feeling threatened or needing to sleep.
When they are choosen at the fish store one must make sure they are not injured during transport, especially in the area around the mouth. If the fish will be long in transit, it is a good idea to have enough sand in the container used so they can bury themselves.
They have an excellent biological clock, but after transportation it takes a bit of time before it start working properly again.
Wrasses are nearly always seen in reef aquaria, since many of the species are both attractive and useful in battling a range of unwanted invertebrates like i.e. flatworms, pyramide snails.
These fish live of everything from zooplankton to large crustaceans, sea urchins and the like.
The needs and behaviour of Wrasses vary greatly, so it is vital to familiarize oneself with the specific species before buying one.
Aquarium trade | Yes |
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Distribution | Western Atlantic: Florida, USA and Antilles to Brazil. |
Richard Aspinall. 2014. Aquarium Fish: Halichoeres Wrasses - Are they the best reef fish? - Advanced Aquarist - (English)
Bob Fenner. Genus Halichoeres A-M - Wet Web Media - (English)
Scott W. Michael. 2009. Wrasses and Parrotfishes (Reef Fishes Series Book 5) - TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)
Minimum volume
"Minimum volume" indicates the size of the tank needed to house this species under optimal conditions.
This is based on a medium size animal, which you want to keep for several years.
It might be possible to keep smaller specimens for a limited period in a smaller tank. A larger tank might be needed for fully-grown specimens.
Hardiness
"Hardiness" indicates how resistant this species is to disease and how well i tolerates bad conditions in general.
Some species doesn't handle transportation very well, but that doesn't mean that the species isn't hardy under the right conditions.
Suitable for aquarium
In this case, a "normal" aquarium is a reef aquarium with mixed corals or a fish only aquarium with an approximately salinity of 1.026 (sg) and a temperature close to 26°C.
Species requiring more than a 4000-liter tank are considered not suitable for home aquarium.
Special aquariums may cover tanks with low salinity, sub-tropical temperature, deep sand bed, sea grass etc.
Reef safe
Always reef safe: No sources indicate that this species will harm corals or other invertebrates.
Often reef safe: Only a few aquarists has reported problems keeping this species with corals and other invertebrates.
Reef safe with caution: This species may be a threat to some types of invertebrates.
Reef safe with luck: Most specimens will harm corals and/or other invertebrates, but you might be lucky.
Not reef safe: This species is a threat to most corals and/or other invertebrates.