Terminal-phase fish have adjacent dark and red patches behind the pectoral area. The red patch is normal coloration, not proof of injury. A benthic carnivore associated with crustaceans, molluscs and other invertebrates. Smithsonian lists animals reaching at least 20 cm.
See Wounded Wrasse clearly
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Responsible care profile
Species-matched aquarium operator recommendation; practical care guidance, not experimentally established lifetime tolerances. Required practical care fields are recorded; this is field coverage, not scientific certification or a compatibility guarantee.
The structured record includes multiple references and at least one dedicated aquarium-care source.
6 referenced sources- Care level
- Advanced
- Minimum volume
- 75 US gal (283.9 L)
- Preferred volume
- Not specified in current guidance
- Adult size
- 6.9 in (17.5 cm) · total length
- Reef compatibility
- Reef-Safe with Caution
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social plan
- Field grouping does not establish captive compatibility
- Minimum footprint
- Confirm adult size and swimming needs; no validated numerical minimum assigned.
Water
- Temperature
- 72–78 °F (22.2–25.6 °C)
- Salinity / specific gravity
- 1.02–1.025 SG
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
Species-matched aquarium operator recommendation; practical care guidance, not experimentally established lifetime tolerances. Source: https://www.qualitymarine.com/quality-marine/fish/wrasses/halichoeres/wounded-33594/
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
Benthic-invertebrate carnivore; field evidence · Two to three small meals daily · Food options: Mysis shrimp, Enriched brine shrimp, Chopped shrimp, Chopped clam, Frozen marine carnivore food · MLL planning precaution: offer appropriately sized, varied marine foods and document actual uptake and condition. Wild prey records do not prove acceptance of frozen or prepared diets. Direct species-care supplier account, not a controlled nutritional trial.
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
Species-matched aquarium operator recommendation; practical care guidance, not experimentally established lifetime tolerances.
- Taxonomic identity
- Source-labelled photographs
- Scoped natural-history context
- Reported maximum body size with measurement type
- Species husbandry temperament assessment
- minimum_volume
- water.temperature_c
- water.specific_gravity
- water.ph
- water_guidance
- evidence_scope
2026-10-14 follow-up review: Species-matched aquarium operator recommendation; practical care guidance, not experimentally established lifetime tolerances.
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: Home aquarium. Starvation risk: unresolved.
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
Husbandry Findings and Limits
These findings explain what the cited evidence supports. Facility precautions are identified separately from tested captive outcomes.
Documented aquarium husbandry — Documented keeping guidance; not a controlled trial
Feeding: Benthic-invertebrate carnivore; field evidence. Set the schedule from verified uptake, body condition and water quality; no validated universal frequency. MLL planning precaution: offer appropriately sized, varied marine foods and document actual uptake and condition. Wild prey records do not prove acceptance of frozen or prepared diets. MLL planning precaution: confirm the species substrate and sleeping needs; provide an appropriate refuge without abrasive traps. Water movement: Provide oxygenated circulation with sheltered areas; field surge does not define an aquarium pump setting. Lighting: Match the documented source conditions and acclimate gradually; no species-validated intensity prescribed. 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. 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. Food options: Mysis shrimp, Enriched brine shrimp, Chopped shrimp, Chopped clam, Frozen marine carnivore food.
Scope and remaining limit: This summary records the profile’s cited keeping guidance and MLL precautions; it does not claim an observed captive outcome. Species-specific numerical water limits Minimum adult housing Lifetime nutritional adequacy Captive social compatibility Direct species-care supplier account, not a controlled nutritional trial.
Sources: Species natural history or original research · LiveAquaria — transfer and quarantine guidance · Bob Goemans — species aquarium account · Bob Goemans — species aquarium account2026-10-14 care follow-up — Documented keeping guidance; not a controlled trial
Exact Halichoeres chierchiae account reports72–78F,SG1.020–1.025,pH8.1–8.4. Existing75gallon minimum retained rather than reducing to this supplier50gallon suggestion.
Scope and remaining limit: Species-matched aquarium operator recommendation; practical care guidance, not experimentally established lifetime tolerances.
Sources: Quality Marine: Wounded WrasseIdentification and Colour Phases
Terminal-phase fish have adjacent dark and red patches behind the pectoral area. The red patch is normal coloration, not proof of injury. Gallery identities and phase labels retain the source scope; photographs are not independent taxonomic diagnoses.
Distribution and Habitat
Shallow rocky reefs with occasional sand and rubble; records extend from southern Baja and the Gulf of California to northern Peru and offshore islands. Source photo localities are examples rather than complete surveyed range boundaries.
Behaviour and Ecological Context
A benthic carnivore associated with crustaceans, molluscs and other invertebrates. Smithsonian lists animals reaching at least 20 cm.
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: offer appropriately sized, varied marine foods and document actual uptake and condition. Wild prey records do not prove acceptance of frozen or prepared diets.
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