Hemigymnus fasciatus

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Facts
Latin name Hemigymnus fasciatus - (Bloch, 1792)
Local name Barred thicklip
Family Labridae - Hemigymnus
Origin East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, The Red Sea, Indonesia, East Pacific, Central/West Pacific
Max length 30 cm (11.8")
As aquarium fish
Minimum volume 1500 l (396 gal)
Hardiness Delicate
Suitable for aquarium Experience, preparation and extra care required
Reef safe Not reef safe
Aggressiveness Might be aggressive towards similar species
Feed
Recommended Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...)
Other invertebrates
Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...)
Beware of
Very frequent feeding

This species requires feeding 4 or more times a day.

Can be a threat to many invertebrates

This species eats shrimps, crayfish, crabs, small bivalves, sea urchins, snails and similar.

Searches through sand for food

This species searches through the sand for food, which can make the water cloudy and shakes up detritus.

In an aquarium their natural food source in the sand is quickly exhausted.

Demand a very large aquarium when fully grown

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.

Keep in mind
Sensitive during transportation

This species is very sensitive during transportation and acclimatizing into the aquarium.

Live food

There is a greater chance of success with this species if one can supply a living feed to allow it to adapt to the tank.

Acclimitises best as a juvenile

This species will better acclimatize to the aquarium`s condition if introduced, when young.

Very small individuals can be very delicate.

Requires plenty of space for swimming.

This species revels in swimming and requires an aquarium with ample space.

Hermaphroditic

This species can change gender from female to male.

When a male is needed, a female changes sex and takes on the role.

Descriptions and further reading
Genus description (Hemigymnus)

Fish in the Hemigymnus grow to be very large, and therefore require a spacious tank.
They are typically fairly peaceful towards other fish, but do pose a threat to many invertebrates.

They must be fed four times a day, which requires good filtration. 

Before purchasing these fish one must be aware that they often cover corals with sand, in their search for food.

Family description (Labridae)

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.

FishBase
Aquarium trade Yes
Distribution Indo-Pacific: Red Sea (Ref. 1602) south to Inhaca Island, Mozambique (Ref. 4392) and east to Tahiti.
French common names Tamarin à bandes noires
Mamselle Adèle
Chien noir
German common names Streifenbannerfisch
English common names Fiveband wrasse
Five-banded wrasse
Barred thicklip wrasse
Barred thicklip
Barred wrasse
References and further reading

About references

Bob Fenner. Genera Hemigymnus and Hologymnosus Wrasses - Wet Web Media - (English)

Scott W. Michael. 2009. Wrasses and Parrotfishes (Reef Fishes Series Book 5) - TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)