All fish / Labridae

Brazilian Wrasse

Halichoeres brasiliensis

Also known as brazilian wrasse, brazil wrasse, brazilian halichoeres

This is one of the larger Halichoeres wrasses, a Brazilian endemic. Young fish are mottled, and adult males turn greenish with darker markings on the head. Specialist marine keepers collect it because it is active, hardy once settled and rarely seen in the trade.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

Singly, or one male with females in a very large tank

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, krill, chopped seafood, small crustaceans and quality marine pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Endemic to Brazil, southwestern Atlantic coast and oceanic islands

Breeding

Like other wrasses it is a protogynous hermaphrodite, so females can change into males, and it scatters pelagic eggs in the open water. It has not been bred in home aquariums.

Good to know

Adults grow large and will eat small shrimps, crabs, snails and worms, so they are not safe in reef tanks with invertebrates. Give it a deep sand bed, as it buries itself to sleep, and a tight lid, since it can jump. Brazil controls exports of its ornamental marine fish, so wild-caught specimens are uncommon.