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Fish Guide |  |
Family: Labridae (Hogfish, Wrasses)
Natural Range: Indo-Pacific Region
Depth: 7 to 50 ft. Size: 4 in. Jumps: Yes Space: 55+ gal.
Reef Safe: Yes Care Level: Moderate Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Amphipods, snails, algae, copepods, snails, crustaceans, small bristleworms
Natural History: The Hoeven's Wrasse is generally found individually in on sand and rubble bottoms at the base of slopes in lagoons. In addition to its normal foods, it will eat all types of prey, including chitons, barnacles, bivalves, terebellid worms, sponges, and sea cucumbers. Males exhibit terminal phase coloration that may be very dramatic. This species exhibits initial phase and final phase colorations. The example here is an initial phase fish.
Husbandry: Caution is advised before housing a Hoeven's Wrasse with any ornamental invertebrates on its menu, including small ornamental crustaceans. It is a hardy aquarium species that will eat a number of nuisance invertebrates, including fireworms, flatworms, and pyramidellid snails. It is a peaceful species that can be housed with other wrasses, except other terminal-phase Hoeven's Wrasses. Females may be housed in groups.
AKA: Tailspot Wrasse, Orange-tipped Rainbow Fish