All fish / Labridae

Timor Wrasse

Halichoeres timorensis

Also known as timor wrasse, spotted wrasse, timor rainbow wrasse, yellow-spotted wrasse, timorensis wrasse, チモールベラ, 帝汶海猪鱼

A small, slender wrasse with a pale or greenish body covered in rows of small dark or orange spots, with a dark spot on the dorsal fin in many individuals. Males become more colourful with age. Hobbyists keep it as an active, hardy reef fish that hunts flatworms, bristleworms and other small pests.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Singly or one male with several females

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, small crustaceans, quality marine pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-West Pacific: East Africa and Red Sea to Indonesia, Philippines and Samoa

Breeding

A protogynous hermaphrodite that spawns in pairs or groups, releasing pelagic eggs. Captive breeding is very rare because the larvae are tiny and hard to rear.

Good to know

Needs a deep sand bed of at least 5 cm, as it buries itself to sleep and when stressed, and a tight lid since it jumps. It may eat small snails, shrimps and other ornamental invertebrates.