Halichoeres cosmetus

Datasheet

General Description

The adorned wrasse (Halichoeres cosmetus) belongs to the Labridae family, known for its attractiveness and utility in eradicating flatworms and pyramid snails in reef aquariums. These fish vary in their diet, with some feeding on small invertebrates while others can crush various crustaceans. They have unique behaviors such as burying themselves in the sand when threatened or for sleeping.

Aquarium Suitability

Suitable for aquariums with care, adorned wrasses are hardy fish that require a minimum tank size of 400 liters. They are mostly peaceful but may exhibit aggression towards similar species, making it essential to pair them correctly, either as a male and female pair or one male with multiple females. The species is sensitive during transportation and acclimatization into the aquarium, requiring careful handling.

Care and Hardiness

Adorned wrasses are considered hardy fish with excellent biological clocks. However, they may become too large for smaller aquariums and must be carefully monitored when interacting with smaller tank mates like fish, crabs, shrimps, and snails. They are known to consume flatworms and pyramid snails, contributing to the overall health of the aquarium environment.

Reef Suitability

Reef compatible and always reef safe, these wrasses are commonly found in reef aquaria due to their attractive appearance and ability to combat unwanted invertebrates. It is important to understand the specific needs and behaviors of adorned wrasses before adding them to a reef tank to ensure compatibility with other reef inhabitants.

Aquarium Setup

Adorned wrasses require a deep sandy substrate of at least 2 inches for burrowing purposes. Maintaining water conditions with a pH range of 8.1-8.4, a temperature between 22.2-25.6°C, and a salinity of 1.020-1.025 is crucial for their well-being. Providing a varied diet of small crustaceans and zooplankton is recommended to meet their nutritional needs.

Behaviour

These wrasses exhibit peaceful behavior but can display aggression towards similar species. They have a unique habit of burying themselves in the sand when feeling threatened or needing to sleep. Adorned wrasses are known for their utility in combating flatworms and pyramid snails, contributing to the overall health of the aquarium ecosystem.

Feeding and Diet

Adorned wrasses primarily feed on small crustaceans like krill, mysis, and artemia, along with zooplankton such as Cyclops and pods. They have the ability to crush larger prey against rocks and should be provided with a diverse diet to ensure their nutritional requirements are met. Some individuals may require time to adjust to new food sources after transportation.

Dimorphism

Hermaphroditic in nature, adorned wrasses have the ability to change gender from female to male. When a male is needed, a female within the group transitions to male, fulfilling the necessary reproductive roles within the species.

Habitat and Distribution

These wrasses are found in the Western Indian Ocean, ranging south to Natal, South Africa, and reported in the Socotra Archipelago. They inhabit reef environments where they help control populations of unwanted invertebrates, contributing to the overall balance of marine ecosystems.