All fish / Labridae

Malpelo Wrasse

Halichoeres malpelo

Also known as malpelo wrasse, malpelo rainbow wrasse

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This is a slim, active wrasse from the remote eastern Pacific islands, and its colours change as it grows from juvenile to terminal male, which shows greens and blues with striped markings. It is rarely seen in the trade, so collectors of unusual Pacific wrasses value it.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Singly or one male with several females

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Eastern Pacific: Malpelo Island and Cocos Island area (Colombia, Costa Rica)

Breeding

Like other Halichoeres it is a protogynous hermaphrodite that spawns in the open water and releases pelagic eggs. It has not been bred in home aquariums in any meaningful way.

Good to know

It needs a deep sand bed to bury itself at night. It may eat small ornamental shrimps, snails and worms, and it has a very small natural range, so wild-caught fish are scarce.