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Related FAQs: Halichoeres Wrasses, Halichoeres 2, Halichoeres Identification, Halichoeres Behavior, Halichoeres Compatibility, Halichoeres Selection, Halichoeres Systems, Halichoeres Feeding, Halichoeres Disease, Halichoeres Reproduction, Wrasses, Wrasse Selection, Wrasse Behavior, Wrasse Compatibility, Wrasse Feeding, Wrasse Diseases,          

Related Articles: Halichoeres N-Z, The Diversity of Wrasses, Family Labridae, Cook Islands Wrasses

/The Best Livestock for A Marine Aquarium

Genus Halichoeres, Part 1

To: Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX

By Bob Fenner

  Halichoeres ornatissimus

Seems like all large families have one, super-size catch-all genus. For the Butterflyfishes, it's Chaetodon, and for the wrasses, it's the genus Halichoeres. Burgess et al. (1990) list forty-seven species and there are more (sixty two currently). Confusing the matter is the typical morass of double and treble invalid classification of the same species as more than such on the basis of sexual and developmental differences (which can be quite striking with some). Many of the members of this genus are good looking, peaceful, and stay relatively small. Germinal to their keeping is selecting initially healthy specimens, providing a sand bed for digging and diving, and assuring their getting their share of the food.

Halichoeres argus (Bloch & Schneider 1801), the Argus Wrasse. Indo-west Pacific. To almost five inches in length. This juvenile in Fiji.

Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Halichoeres binotopsis Bleeker 1849, West Pacific; Singapore to PNG, Indonesia. To nine cm. Here in N. Sulawesi.

http://fishbase.sinica.edu.tw/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=12789&genusname=Halichoeres&speciesname=binotopsis

Halichoeres biocellatus Schultz 1960, the Red Lined Wrasse. Western Pacific; Philippines, S. Japan to GBR. To 12 cm. This one in S. Sulawesi. Below: A juvenile and initial phase individuals in Fiji http://fishbase.sinica.edu.tw/Summary/speciesSummary.php?ID=5627&genusname=Halichoeres&speciesname=biocellatus

Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Halichoeres bivittatus (Bloch 1791), the Slippery Dick Wrasse (2), is a standard item offered out of the tropical western Atlantic and an anomaly to me. This fish is neither really very attractive or relatively hardy in captivity. To almost nine inches in length. Bahamas, initial phase individual. Changeling and terminal phases below.
Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

 

Halichoeres chierchiae Di Caporiacco 1948, the Wounded Wrasse (2) is a newer introduction to the hobby from the tropical eastern Pacific that is gaining popularity. To eight inches over-all length. Here's a near full-size male in captivity and a three inch juv. off Mexico's Cabo San Lucas. Initial phase/female below in Costa Rica.

Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

To: Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX

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