All fish / Labridae

Axil Spot Wrasse

Halichoeres podostigma

Also known as axilspot wrasse, axil spot wrasse, axil-spot wrasse, podostigma wrasse, pinstripe wrasse juvenile, 腋斑海猪鱼

This slim wrasse comes from shallow coastal and lagoon reefs. Juveniles have bold dark and pale stripes, and adults turn greenish with yellow tones and a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin, which gives the species its name. It is kept for its lively swimming and because it eats pest snails and bristle worms.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Keep singly or as one male with several females in a large tank

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Central Pacific: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, New Guinea and nearby reefs

Breeding

It spawns in pairs in open water, and females can change into males. The eggs and larvae drift with the plankton, so it is rarely bred in home aquariums.

Good to know

Most sellers do not keep it in stock, and it can grow to about 19 cm. It hunts small shrimps, snails and worms, and it needs a sand bed at least 5 cm deep so it can bury itself at night.