Wrasses belong to the perch relatives and are the second largest species in the marine fish family after gobies.
Known are 65 genera with over 550 species.
Generally elongated body, with a terminal mouth, usually with thick lips and protruding canine teeth. The wrasse family includes several species. They range from very large blue wrasses to tiny cleaner wrasses. They are generally bottom dwellers, found on rocks or coral reefs. Many are long lived and slow growing. Wrasses are slender and often display different color forms within a species. These vary according to age and sex. They have elaborate courtship rituals and some species can change color and sex. Wrasses can change from female to male.
So there are very small wrasses, but also huge wrasses that are not suitable for aquarium keeping and can reach over 2 meters. Wrasses are usually very hardy and peaceful, but some species are extremely difficult to keep in captivity, such as those of the genera Labroides.
In principle, however, the care of wrasses is a very interesting area of marine aquaristics. You just have to keep in mind that they need a lot of swimming space. Some species should also not be kept alone, but as a pair or even in a group. Some wrasses are social their whole life, others are only so as juveniles and become aggressive as adults. There are also species that are quarrelsome their entire lives. Males are territorial and will vigorously protect their females from neighboring males. They are active during the day and feed on a variety of small animals, detritus and algae. Some species, called cleaner wrasses, feed on the parasites they eat from the surface, in gills, and also in the mouths of larger fish. All wrasses are diurnal and hide at night by either burying themselves in the sand or getting stuck in crevices. Many of the wrasses we maintain burrow in to sleep.
Many new imports often take a few days to adjust to the new times, similar to jet lag.
They are sensitive to transport (stress), but easy to get food.
There are many species suitable for aquarium keeping, such as:
Anampses, Bodianus, with smears, Halichoeres and still other species.
With the species Paracheilinus and Cirrhilabrus there are especially beautifully colored
Wrasses are found in the trade, but they are often not easy to keep.
With the Coris- and Cheilinus-species you should consider that they need aquariums from min. 1000 l because of the expected size.
http://www.coralreeffish.com/OSFweb/josf/josf30b.pdf
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses and various gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
