The research description distinguishes terminal males by vivid purple, blue-green and yellow colouring and dark anterior dorsal pigmentation. Unlike a generic benthic-prey assumption, the species description reports mainly calanoid copepods and other plankton, and adults in mixed schools.
See Mardi Gras Wrasse clearly
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Responsible care profile
MLL planning guidance: species-specific lifetime captive care, numeric water limits and minimum housing have not been validated in this intake. Confirm lawful origin, adult housing, diet and individual food acceptance before acquisition. The natural-history evidence below supports precautions, not a complete captive protocol.
Structured guidance is available, but the evidence audit identified a source-depth or care-safeguard gap.
- Acquisition suitability remains under review
- Care level
- Advanced
- Minimum volume
- Not specified in current guidance
- Preferred volume
- Not specified in current guidance
- Adult size
- 3 in (7.7 cm) · standard length, excluding tail
- Reef compatibility
- Reef-Safe with Caution
- Temperament
- Species assessment pending
- Social plan
- Field grouping does not establish captive compatibility
- Minimum footprint
- Confirm adult size and swimming needs; no validated numerical minimum assigned.
Water
- Temperature
- Not specified in the profile guidance
Habitat
Secure rockwork; Open swimming space scaled to confirmed adult size; Accessible refuge and protected introduction area.
MLL planning precaution: confirm the species substrate and sleeping needs; provide an appropriate refuge without abrasive traps.
Light: Match the documented source conditions and acclimate gradually; no species-validated intensity prescribed.
Flow: Provide oxygenated circulation with sheltered areas; field surge does not define an aquarium pump setting.
Secure lid required.
Feeding
Plankton-feeding carnivore; wild copepod feeding documented · Set the schedule from verified uptake, body condition and water quality; no validated universal frequency. · MLL planning precaution: verify uptake of suitably small plankton foods; generic chopped shellfish is not a substitute for a verified diet.
Compatibility
MLL precaution: use protected introductions and monitor pursuit, refuge access and feeding. Do not infer a safe group from a wild aggregation or temporary retailer holding.
Avoid or assess carefully: Tankmates preventing feeding or refuge, Vulnerable invertebrates until diet risk is resolved.
What the evidence establishes
Natural-history evidence plus explicitly labelled MLL planning precautions
- Taxonomic identity
- Source-labelled photographs
- Scoped natural-history context
- Reported maximum body size with measurement type
Still unverified
- Species-specific numerical water limits
- Minimum adult housing
- Lifetime nutritional adequacy
- Captive social compatibility
Acclimation and quarantine
General transfer plan: quarantine, document arrival temperature and salinity, compare with receiving conditions and follow a transfer procedure appropriate to the measured mismatch. Assess feeding and refuge use before display introduction.
Stocking safeguards
Aquarium setting: Suitability review required. Starvation risk: unresolved.
The current record lacks a reviewed species-specific temperament assessment. Home-aquarium suitability and automatic stocking eligibility require further review; advanced-only was not adequate evidence of suitability.
Confirm species-specific suitability before acquisition; use protected introduction and observe feeding and refuge access.
- No acquisition without lawful origin and confirmed identity
- No acquisition without a credible adult housing and feeding plan
- No release if feeding, health or refuge access remain unresolved
Special risks
- Colour-phase misidentification
- Unverified adult housing
- Food rejection and exclusion
- Escape through uncovered gaps
- Unsupported compatibility assumptions
Identification and Colour Phases
The research description distinguishes terminal males by vivid purple, blue-green and yellow colouring and dark anterior dorsal pigmentation. Gallery identities and phase labels retain the source scope; photographs are not independent taxonomic diagnoses.
Distribution and Habitat
Described from Stetson Bank over claystone, sponge and coral habitats, with documented records off Veracruz. Source photo localities are examples rather than complete surveyed range boundaries.
Behaviour and Ecological Context
Unlike a generic benthic-prey assumption, the species description reports mainly calanoid copepods and other plankton, and adults in mixed schools.
Aquarium Care and Suitability
MLL planning guidance: species-specific lifetime captive care, numeric water limits and minimum housing have not been validated in this intake. Confirm lawful origin, adult housing, diet and individual food acceptance before acquisition. The natural-history evidence below supports precautions, not a complete captive protocol. MLL planning precaution: verify uptake of suitably small plankton foods; generic chopped shellfish is not a substitute for a verified diet.
Compatibility and Observation
MLL precaution: use protected introductions and monitor pursuit, refuge access and feeding. Do not infer a safe group from a wild aggregation or temporary retailer holding. Observe daily food capture, body condition and hiding behaviour. A visible meal is not proof of a complete diet.
Field Observation and Photography
Record locality, whole-body side view, cheek markings, fin patterns and apparent colour phase. Avoid chasing, touching or feeding fish for a photograph. Captured specimens and underwater animals are captioned separately.
Conservation and Responsible Sourcing
Retain lawful origin and collection or propagation records. Island locality and protection rules require direct review before acquisition. A broad regional record or attractive image does not establish local abundance or sustainable supply.
A living record
Published identities retained, exact uploaded bytes preserved, and care uncertainties stated. Public content last reviewed October 10, 2026.
- WoRMS — taxonomic name ↗Reference source
- Species natural history or original research ↗Reference source
- LiveAquaria — transfer and quarantine guidance ↗Reference source