Wrasses (Labridae)
Wrasses Family Characteristics:
The Wrasse family is a very large family of fish, encompassing about 400 species. It is not surprising, therefore, that the body shape varies; some wrasses are cylindrical, while others are much deeper bodies. Like many other marine fishes, wrasses swim without making much use of the caudal fin, which is mainly used for steering or held in reserve for emergencies. The main propulsion comes from the pectoral fins.
Sex reversal is quite common in wrasses, the necessary change occurring in single sexed groups as required. (The female stage always precedes the male one.) Reproductive activity can occur between pairs or collectively in groups. In both cases, the fish spiral upwards towards the surface to spawn.
Diet And Feeding:
Feeding habits vary from species to species, but most relish mollusc's and crustaceans. They will take brine shrimps, shrimps, and most frozen marine fare.
Aquarium Behavior:
Juvenile forms are quite suitable for the aquarium. Wrasses and rainbowfish are interesting for several reasons: the juvenile coloration patterns are different from those of adult fish. Many bury themselves in the sand for long periods during the day as well as at night time, so a sandy substrate is essential. Others spin mucus cocoons in which to rest; and a number of fish perform 'cleaning services' on other species, removing parasites in the process. Wrasses in this group are usually quite active and therefore may disturb more sedate fishes in the aquarium.
List Of Popular Aquarium Wrasses:
- Cuban Hogfish, Spotfin Hogfish (Bodianus pulchellus)
- Spanish Hogfish (Bodianus rufus)
- Dwarf Parrot Wrasse, Sea Fighter, Longfin Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis)
- Twin Spot Wrasse (Coris angulata)
- African Clown Wrasse (Coris formosa)
- Clown Wrasse, Red Labrid, Red Coris Wrasse (Coris gaimardi)
- Birdmouth Wrasse (Gomphosus caeruleus)
- Banana Wrasse, Golden Rainbowfish, Yellow Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus)
- Four Spot Wrasse, Banana Wrasse (Halichoeres trispilus)
- Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus)
- Harlequin Tuskfish (Lienardella fasciata)
- Dragon Wrasse (Novaculichthys taeniorus)
- Pyjama Wrasse, Six Line Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia)
- Bluehead Wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum)
- Moon Wrasse, Lyretail Wrasse, Green Parrot Wrasse (Thalassoma lunare)
- Red Head Solon Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus solorensis)
- Multicolor Lubbocks Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lubbocki)
- Exquisite Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus exquisitus)
- Blue Head Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura)
- Labout's Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus laboutei)
- Red Velvet Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubrisquamis)
- Orange Back Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus aurantidorsalis)
- Whip Fin Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus filamentosus)
- Fine Spotted Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus punctatus)
- Hooded Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus bathyphilus)
- Scott's Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus scottorum)
- Yellow Flanked Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lyukyuensis)
- Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon meleagris)
- Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus carpenteri)
- Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse (Wetmorella nigropinnata)
- Pink Margin Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus rubrimarginatus)
- Velvet Multicolor Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus luteovittatus)
- Yellow Fin Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus flavidorsalis)
- Eight Lined Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus octotaenia)
- Lineatus Fairy Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus lineatus)
- Blue Star Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon bipartitus)
- Flame Wrasse (Cirrhilabrus jordani)
- Yellow fin Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus flavianalis)
- McCosker's Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus mccoskeri)
- Linespot Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus lineopunctatus)
- Red Tail Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus rubricaudalis)
- Pink Streaked Wrasse (Pseudocheilinops ataenia)
- Mystery Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus ocellatus)
- Scarlet Pin Stripe Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus evanidus)
- Blue Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus cyaneus)
- Potter's Wrasse (Macropharyngodon geoffroyi)
- Tanaka's Pygmy Wrasse (Wetmorella tanakai)
- Bird Wrasse (Gomphosus varius)
- Black Backed Wrasse (Anampses neoguinaicus)
- Blunthead Wrasse (Thalassoma amblycephalum)
- Chiseltooth Wrasse (Pseudodax moluccanus)
- Christmas Wrasse (Halichoeres claudia )
- Dragon Wrasse (Novaculichthys taeniourus)
- Dusky Wrasse (Halichoeres marginatus)
- Goldbar Wrasse (Thalassoma hebraicum)
- Green Wrasse (Halichoeres chloropterus)
- Green Wrasse (Halichoeres chloropterus)
- Grey Head Wrasse (Halichoeres leucurus)
- Harlequin Tusk (Choerodon fasciatus)
- Hoeven's Wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus)
- Jamsem Sadd;e Wrasse (Thalassoma jansenii)
- Marble Wrasse (Halichoeres hortulanus)
- Neon Wrasse (Halichoeres garnoti)
- Pinkface Wrasse (Thalassoma quinquevittatum)
- Radiant Wrasse (Halichores iridis)
- Red Breast Wrasse (Cheilinus fasciatus)
- Red Lined Wrasse (Halichoeres biocellatus)
- Richmond's Wrasse (Halichoeres richmondi)
