Wetmorellanigropinnata
isadwarf species
(around5cm)withnosexualdichromatism
NEWS102
26
Unfortunately theEmeraldWrasse (
Novaculichthysmacrolepidotus
) isonly rarely imported.Femaleshavemore red color on thebelly region.
Wrasses in theaquarium
The majority of wrasses are not
particularly demanding aquarium fishes.
Manyareverypopularwith reef aquarists,
as they are active and colorful, not very
susceptible toparasiticdiseases, leave the
majority of sessile invertebrates (corals,
etc) in peace,
and devour the
bristleworms (Polychaeta) that often
become a real nuisance in the reef
aquarium. However, it is very important
that theaquarium inwhichwrasses are to
live should contain an area with an
adequate depth of substrate (at least 5
cm) consisting of relatively fine gravel or
sand, aswrasses bury themselves at night
and when upset. Newly-introduced
wrassesmaywelldisappear fora fewdays;
this is perfectly normal and no cause for
concern.
When itcomes to feeding,wrassespresent
few problems. They are relatively
unspecialized feeders that eat small
organisms,andwill happily take theusual
varieties of frozen foods. Once they have
settled in theywill usually also take flake
food and granules. The gorgeous open-
water
Paracheilinus
species shouldbe fed
several times daily, and an automated
feeder canbeuseful here.
Wrasses are usually peaceful towards
other fish species, but will establish an
order of rank among themselves. It is
always wise to obtain several individuals
of a species right from the start and
introduce them all at the same time.
Conspecifics added later often have a
hard timeof it.
If you are now filled with the desire to
keep wrasses then your pet dealer can
undoubtedly order them for you from a
wholesaler of his acquaintance, for
example fromMeeresaquaristikReising in
Alzenau-Wasserlos,Fax+49602331502.
