Wrasses

Wrasses are active, colorful reef fish with a wide range of sizes and habits: many bury in the sand to sleep, some clean parasites off tankmates, and others grow big enough to eat inverts. Reef safety depends on the species, so it pays to check before adding one. Each profile lists tank size, diet and reef safety, and most need a tight lid because they jump.

29 species

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  Adorned Wrasse

  Halichoeres cosmetus

  5.1 in (13 cm)50 gal (190 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

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  Bluehead Wrasse

  Thalassoma bifasciatum

  7.1 in (18 cm)74 gal (280 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

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  Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse

  Labroides dimidiatus

  4.3 in (11 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

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  Carpenter's flasher wrasse

  Paracheilinus carpenteri

  3.1 in (8 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

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  Christmas Wrasse

  Halichoeres ornatissimus

  5.9 in (15 cm)70 gal (265 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Coral Hogfish

  Bodianus mesothorax

  7.9 in (20 cm)90 gal (340 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Divided Leopard Wrasse

  Macropharyngodon bipartitus

  5.1 in (13 cm)55 gal (208 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Dragon Wrasse

  Novaculichthys taeniourus

  11.8 in (30 cm)106 gal (400 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

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  Eightline Wrasse

  Pseudocheilinus octotaenia

  4.7 in (12 cm)55 gal (208 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Exquisite Fairy Wrasse

  Cirrhilabrus exquisitus

  4.7 in (12 cm)90 gal (340 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Flame Fairy Wrasse

  Cirrhilabrus jordani

  3.9 in (10 cm)90 gal (340 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Fourline Wrasse

  Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia

  3 in (7.5 cm)30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Green Bird Wrasse

  Gomphosus varius

  11.8 in (30 cm)125 gal (473 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Harlequin Tuskfish

  Choerodon fasciatus

  11.8 in (30 cm)125 gal (473 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Leopard Wrasse

  Macropharyngodon meleagris

  5.9 in (15 cm)90 gal (340 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Lineatus Fairy Wrasse

  Cirrhilabrus lineatus

  4.7 in (12 cm)90 gal (340 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

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  Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse

  Cirrhilabrus lubbocki

  3.1 in (8 cm)55 gal (208 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Lunare Wrasse

  Thalassoma lunare

  9.8 in (25 cm)125 gal (473 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  McCosker's Flasher Wrasse

  Paracheilinus mccoskeri

  3.1 in (8 cm)55 gal (208 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Melanurus Wrasse

  Halichoeres melanurus

  5.5 in (14 cm)100 gal (380 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Radiant Wrasse

  Halichoeres iridis

  4.5 in (11.5 cm)75 gal (284 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Red Coris Wrasse

  Coris gaimard

  11.8 in (30 cm)150 gal (568 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Scott's Fairy Wrasse

  Cirrhilabrus scottorum

  5.1 in (13 cm)90 gal (340 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

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  Six-line wrasse

  Pseudocheilinus hexataenia

  3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Social fairy wrasse

  Cirrhilabrus rubriventralis

  2.8 in (7 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

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  Solar Fairy Wrasse

  Cirrhilabrus solorensis

  4.3 in (11 cm)90 gal (340 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Twospot Hogfish

  Bodianus bimaculatus

  3.9 in (10 cm)30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

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  Yellow Coris Wrasse

  Halichoeres chrysus

  4.7 in (12 cm)40 gal (150 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

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  Yellowtail Tamarin Wrasse

  Anampses meleagrides

  8.7 in (22 cm)90 gal (340 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)