More info
Datasheet
| Minimum Tank Size | 700 litres / 184.92 US gallons |
| Maximum Size | 17.0cm / 6.69inches |
| Reef Compatible | Not reef safe |
| Temperament | Docile but might be global_aggtemp_might_more_docile |
| Temperature | 22.2°C / 71.96°F - 25.6°C / 78.08°F |
| Specific Gravity | 1.020-1.025 |
| Carbonate Hardness | 8-12 |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
General Description
The Snooty wrasse, scientifically known as Cheilinus oxycephalus, belongs to the Labridae family and is characterized by its remarkable size, growing up to 17.0 cm, occasionally reaching up to 6.5 feet (2 meters). These wrasses are larger than most in the wrasse family.
Aquarium Suitability
Considered suitable for aquariums, these fish are docile by nature but can display aggression towards smaller fish and invertebrates. They should be kept with caution due to their tendency to target snails, shrimps, crabs, and other small tank mates. It's advisable to provide hiding spots and keep them in a species-specific environment to prevent stress.
Demands, Care, and Hardiness
With average hardiness, these wrasses thrive best when provided with ample swimming space and hiding places within the aquarium. It is recommended to feed them a varied diet, starting with live foods and transitioning to large seafood chunks daily or every other day to ensure their well-being.
Reef Suitability
The Snooty wrasse is not classified as reef-safe as it poses a threat to most invertebrates, except corals, within reef environments. Their predatory nature towards smaller reef inhabitants makes them unsuitable for reef tanks.
Aquarium Setup
When setting up the aquarium for Snooty wrasses, ensure there are secure rock formations and hiding spots, such as live rocks. Additionally, provide plenty of open swimming space and maintain stable water conditions with a temperature range between 22.2-25.6°C, pH level of 8.1-8.4, and specific gravity of 1.020-1.025.
Behaviour
These fish tend to be shy and may initially hide upon introduction to a new environment. Avoid disturbing them during acclimatization to minimize stress. Snooty wrasses have a habit of rearranging rocks and sand in the tank and are known to thrive better in solitary conditions.
Feeding and Diet
Their diet should consist of larger crustaceans, small crustaceans, zooplankton, and other invertebrates to ensure proper nutrition. Offering a varied diet is crucial for their health and well-being.
Dimorphism and Captive Reproduction
The Snooty wrasse can change gender from female to male, a natural occurrence typically triggered by the need for a male in the group. However, captive reproduction information for this species is not provided in available sources.
Habitat and Distribution
These wrasses are found in the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from East Africa to the Marquesan and Society Islands, extending north to Taiwan and south to the southern Great Barrier Reef and the Austral Islands. They inhabit a diverse range of marine environments within their distribution range.