Source-labelled photographs show the colourful head and longitudinal markings; phase and locality should be recorded before comparing individuals. FishBase describes solitary individuals and loose groups. This does not establish a safe aquarium grouping.
See Adorned 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.
Identity, safeguards and related care references have been reviewed. Genus examples or incomplete species-specific husbandry evidence do not establish exact aquarium limits; read the scope note before stocking.
5 referenced sources- Care level
- Advanced
- Minimum volume
- 60 US gal (227.1 L)
- Preferred volume
- Not specified in current guidance
- Adult size
- 5.1 in (13 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
Species-specific Bob Goemans husbandry recommendation; not an experimental tolerance boundary · Profile husbandry ranges are planning guidance, not demonstrated physiological limits. No different calcium or magnesium target is inferred from a trade colour name.
- Temperature
- 74–82 °F (23.3–27.8 °C)
- Salinity / specific gravity
- 1.020–1.026 SG
- pH
- 8.0–8.5
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
Carnivore · Two small meals daily · Food options: Mysis shrimp, Enriched brine shrimp, Chopped marine shrimp, Frozen marine carnivore food · Deliver appropriately sized food where the fish can reach it; verify actual ingestion and sustained body condition. Source: species-specific aquarium author guidance; meal count is a husbandry recommendation, not a validated nutritional limit.
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
- Species husbandry temperament assessment
- temperature_c
- specific_gravity
- ph
- minimum_volume
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: 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: Carnivore. Two small meals daily Food options: Mysis shrimp, Enriched brine shrimp, Chopped marine shrimp, Frozen marine carnivore food. 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.
Scope and remaining limit: Species-matched author guidance is available; it is not a controlled lifetime trial. Species-specific numerical water limits Minimum adult housing Lifetime nutritional adequacy Captive social compatibility
Sources: LiveAquaria — transfer and quarantine guidance · Bob Goemans — species aquarium accountIdentification and Colour Phases
Source-labelled photographs show the colourful head and longitudinal markings; phase and locality should be recorded before comparing individuals. Gallery identities and phase labels retain the source scope; photographs are not independent taxonomic diagnoses.
Distribution and Habitat
Shallow coral and rocky reefs, with mixed coral and rubble on lagoons and outer slopes. Source photo localities are examples rather than complete surveyed range boundaries.
Behaviour and Ecological Context
FishBase describes solitary individuals and loose groups. This does not establish a safe aquarium grouping.
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: confirm the diet from species evidence and documented holding history. Do not apply a generic wrasse feeding recipe without observing acceptance.
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