Halichoeres radiatus

Datasheet

General Description

The Puddingwife wrasse, scientifically known as Halichoeres radiatus, is a member of the Labridae family, well-known for its vibrant appearance and efficiency in eradicating flatworms and pyramid snails in aquariums. These fish have varying diets, some focusing on small invertebrates while others can crush different crustaceans, occasionally preying on creatures larger than themselves.

Aquarium Suitability

Considered suitable for aquariums with caution, they are generally more peaceful than other wrasses but can exhibit aggression towards smaller or docile species. Due to their aggressive nature, a large aquarium and proper feeding, ample hiding spots, and space are essential to mitigate potential conflicts.

Demands, Care, and Hardiness

Puddingwife wrasses are hardy fish, but they are highly sensitive during transportation and acclimatization. They require a deep sandy substrate of at least 2 inches to bury themselves when threatened or sleeping. Being excellent invertebrate hunters, they eat flatworms and pyramid snails and should be fed a diet rich in larger crustaceans, other invertebrates, and small crustaceans like krill and artemia.

Reef Suitability

Not suitable for reef aquariums, these wrasses are known to rearrange rocks and corals in search of food and might pose a threat to small fish due to their predatory nature.

Aquarium Setup

When fully grown, Puddingwife wrasses demand a very large aquarium, making them challenging to accommodate in standard home aquariums. They are prone to jumping out of open aquariums, so a secure lid is necessary. An aquarium with ample swimming space, hiding spots, and a diverse rocky environment is ideal.

Behaviour

These wrasses exhibit interesting behaviors such as digging themselves into the sand when threatened or sleeping. They are known to hunt crustaceans, sea urchins, and worms effectively and can be territorial, especially towards other fish in the aquarium.

Feeding and Diet

Their diet consists of a variety of food sources, including larger crustaceans like shrimp and crabs, as well as other invertebrates such as krill, mysis, and artemia. They can become aggressive if not provided with an adequate diet or space to exhibit their natural hunting behavior.

Habitat and Distribution

The Puddingwife wrasse is found in the Western Atlantic, ranging from Bermuda through the West Indies to Florida, the Carolinas, and the Gulf of Mexico. They are also present in Brazilian oceanic islands such as St. Paul's Rocks, Fernando de Noronha, and Atol das Rochas. They do not co-occur with H. brasiliensis in Brazil.