Checkerboard Wrasse, Halichoeres Hortulanus

Checkerboard Wrasse, Halichoeres hortulanus, also go by the name Marble Wrasse. These fish have marvellous and distinctive dot dash patterns, that lends the Checkboard wrasse its name.

Like all members of the Halichoeres genus, males and females are sexually dimorphic. Meaning they look different even though they are the same species. Some differences are more prominent than others. Females have white bodies that elegantly show off the spattering of black dashes. Their fins and heads are bright yellow. Peach coloured stripes cover their faces and eyes. Males on the other hand have fantastic green bodies with blue dashes. They have a saddle back marking behind their head, and red/ orange stripes across their face.

It is important to copy the natural environment by providing plenty of nooks and crannies. There should also be a good sand bed for the wrasse to hide and sleep in. Hobbyists should get a jump guard to stop any unfortunate losses.

Checkerboard Wrasse do best when fed a varied diet. They will accept enriched frozen mess shrimp and enriched frozen brine shrimp. They will also devour live foods, such as copepods and amphipods, that can be cultivated in attached refugium. Over time they will accept high-quality pellet or flake. 

For further information on keeping Marine fish please follow this link below

https://ornamentalfish.org/what-we-do/advice-information/care-sheets/caresheets-marine-fish/