All fish / Labridae

Radiant Wrasse

Halichoeres iridis

Also known as radiant wrasse, iridis wrasse, rainbow wrasse, orange wrasse, iridis halichoeres, イリディスラス, 彩虹海猪鱼

A slender wrasse with a bright orange body, a greenish-yellow head edged with blue-lined bands, and a dark eyespot on the dorsal fin. It is kept for its vivid colours and busy foraging, and it helps control pests such as flatworms and small bristleworms.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Singly or one male with a female

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, chopped seafood, quality pellets and live pods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Indian Ocean: East Africa, Red Sea fringe, Mascarenes, Maldives

Breeding

It is a protogynous hermaphrodite that spawns in pairs over the reef, releasing pelagic eggs. Captive breeding is rarely achieved in home aquariums.

Good to know

Needs a deep sand bed of at least 5 cm because it buries itself at night and when stressed. It may eat small crustaceans and snails, so it is only partly reef safe.