Hemigymnus fasciatus

Datasheet

General Description: The Hemigymnus fasciatus, also known as the Barred thicklip wrasse or Fiveband wrasse, belongs to the Labridae family. These fish are known for growing to a significant size and demanding spacious tanks. They are generally peaceful towards other fish but can be a threat to various invertebrates.

Aquarium Suitability: Experience, preparation, and extra care are required when considering keeping the Barred thicklip wrasse in an aquarium due to its demanding nature and habitat needs. This species requires a very large tank, minimally 1500 liters when fully grown, making it challenging to keep in a standard home aquarium setting.

Demands, Care, and Hardiness: The Barred thicklip wrasse falls under the category of delicate fish, emphasizing the necessity for meticulous care and attention. They are sensitive during transportation and acclimatization into an aquarium, best suited for experienced aquarists willing to provide the required level of care. These fish must be fed at least four times a day, demanding excellent filtration systems to maintain water quality.

Reef Suitability: Hemigymnus fasciatus is not considered reef safe and can pose a threat to coral reefs due to their behavior of covering corals with sand while foraging for food. Therefore, caution must be exercised when considering housing them in a reef tank.

Aquarium Setup: Setting up an aquarium for the Barred thicklip wrasse should focus on providing ample space for swimming. Due to their propensity for searching through sand for food, the substrate should be suitable for this behavior. Additionally, good filtration is essential to manage the frequent feeding requirements of this species.

Behaviour: These wrasses are known for their habit of rummaging through sand in search of food, which can lead to cloudiness in the water and disturbance of detritus. They exhibit a high level of activity and swimming, requiring enough room in the aquarium to accommodate their behavior.

Feeding and Diet: The diet of the Hemigymnus fasciatus mainly consists of larger crustaceans, other invertebrates, and small crustaceans like krill, mysis, and artemia. Feeding them live food can increase their chances of success in adapting to aquarium life.

Dimorphism and Captive Reproduction: Hemigymnus fasciatus is hermaphroditic, capable of changing gender from female to male as needed. This unique biological characteristic plays a crucial role in their captive reproduction, allowing for flexibility in maintaining a balanced gender ratio within the aquarium.

Habitat and Distribution: The Barred thicklip wrasse is primarily found in the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the Red Sea to areas like Inhaca Island in Mozambique and eastward to Tahiti. Their natural habitat includes a diverse range of environments, emphasizing the need for specific care requirements in captivity.