Logo
Please visit our Sponsors

Related FAQs: Hemigymnus & Hologymnosus Wrasses, Wrasses, Wrasse Selection, Wrasse Compatibility, Wrasse Feeding, Wrasse Diseases,                         

Related Articles: The Diversity of Wrasses, Family Labridae, Cook Islands Wrasses

/The Best Livestock for A Marine Aquarium

Genera Hemigymnus and Hologymnosus Wrasses

Bob Fenner

  Hemigymnus fasciatus

We'll cover these two genera together as their members are all large fishes of moderate survivability (all 2's). Due to their size and feeding requirements these fishes are really only suitable for all-fish set-ups. Hemigymnus, with two species are commonly called "Thicklip Wrasses", a related reference to their behavior of ingesting the substrate and sieving it for food items. Hologymnosus, comprising four species, are frequently termed "Ring Wrasses" for their circular body markings and tubular shape. This genus feeds primarily on other fishes. Most losses of fishes in these genera are related to mouth damage. Check out prospective buys carefully. Like most wrasses, they are great jumpers.

Genus Hemigymnus:

Hemigymnus fasciatus (Bloch 1792), the Barred Thicklip Wrasse (2). Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea, east to Tahiti. To thirty two inches long in the wild. Pictured are a six inch juvenile in an aquarium, Fiji,and a two foot adult in the Maldives.

      
Verticals (Full/Cover Page Sizes Available)
Bigger PIX:
The images in this table are linked to large (desktop size) copies. Click on "framed" images to go to the larger size.

Hemigymnus melapterus (Bloch 1791), the Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse (2).  Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea, east to Tahiti. To thirty six inches in the wild. Shown are a too-small, two inch juvenile in captivity, a four inch individual in Fiji (about the best aquarium starting size), one of fifteen inches in N. Sulawesi and a sixteen inch adult in the Red Sea.

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

Genus Hologymnosus:

Hologymnosus annulatus (Lacepede 1801), the Ring Wrasse (2). Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea east to the Marianas. To sixteen inches in length. Here are images of a juvenile (3"), female and male in the Red Sea.

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

Hologymnosus doliatus (Lacepede 1801), the Pastel Ring or Candycane Wrasse (2). Indo-Pacific east to the Line Islands. To eighteen inches. Images: Right: juveniles and adult female in an aquarium. Below: A whole series, a very young juvenile, initial/juvenile phase, initial and terminal phase individuals in Raja Ampat and Fiji.




Become a Sponsor Features:
Daily FAQs FW Daily FAQs SW Pix of the Day FW Pix of the Day New On WWM
Helpful Links Hobbyist Forum Calendars Admin Index Cover Images
Featured Sponsors: