halichoeres burekae

[skibum9884]

Does anyone know anything about this fish? Not much info on the web. It seems to be beautiful, and stays very small. I'm interested in something unusual and beautiful in place of a melanurus wrasse. I believe it is also called the "Mardi Gras Wrasse.". Mostly I'm interested in it eating some of the "bad pods and critters" for SPS, as I know the melanurus does.

Also, anyone know anything about price and if it is even obtainable?

I'll upload a pic ASAP, but they can be seen by doing a simple google search.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Luiz Rocha]

Hey David, I know a thing or two about it (I was one of the authors of it's description ). As far as I know it has never been in the aquarium trade. There are only two populations in the wild, one at the Flower Gardens National Monument (a protected area, impossible to collect there) and another at the Veracruz/Campeche area in Mexico. You could potentially get some from Mexico, but I never heard of anybody collecting fish for the aquarium trade in that area.

 

[skibum9884]

Luiz,

Thanks for the info! Do you know if in the aquarium it would be as beneficial in eliminating pests etc in an sps sysystem? I figured it may since it is in the halichoeres genus.

Too bad they're not available in the trade, I want one (or several) so badly! Seems itd be perfect for the aquarium trade.

-David

 

[skibum9884]

Alright, if the Halichoeres Burekae isn't available in the trade, what does everyone think the most beautiful (obtainable, but rare is ok) halichoeres wrasse is?

 

[Matt_Wandell]

^^^

Halichoeres rubricephalus. You can find it for $200-300 rarely.

By all accounts it almost always dies very early from shipping/handling stress.

 

[skibum9884]

Matt, thanks so much for the suggestion. It is very beautiful! Anything that is not known for dying prematurely?!?! I thought part of the appeal of Halichoeres (or at least the Melanurus) was how hardy they are.

 

[A sea K]

I have a Biocellatus, not rare by any stretch but a very striking fish in a subdued sort of way.

 

[Matt_Wandell]

Matt, thanks so much for the suggestion. It is very beautiful! Anything that is not known for dying prematurely?!?! I thought part of the appeal of Halichoeres (or at least the Melanurus) was how hardy they are.

There's a lot of variability within the genus.

H. iridis is really pretty and does well.

 

[SDguy]

I have a biocellatus as well. Really very pretty, and since you mentioned small in your OP, I thought this might be a good choice. Much smaller than other popular halichoeres IME.