Halichoeres cyanocephalus

[hogfanreefer]

Lightning wrasse, has anyone kept one? Judging by the size they get to I'm guessing not invert safe?

There is one in a reef tank (with shrimp, snails and soft/LPS coral) being cared for by a friend. It has not bothered any of the inverts or coral. I know that means absolutely nothing so I'm hoping someone has experience with them.

 

[evolved]

From what I know (and would predict), most of the larger Halichoeres (>6") generally reach a point in development where motile inverts are suddenly on the menu.

I'd expect this particular species to follow suit, but be completely coral safe of course.

 

[hogfanreefer]

Thanks Hunter! I will hopefully be moving soon and plan to set up a second ( 8-10 foot) tank that will be mainly wrasses and will be intentionally stocked without inverts (kind of a FOWLR +SPS tank). LA has one right now and I hardly ever see them offered. Was thinking of taking a chance that he would play nice until the new tank could be set up.

 

[rachenbrazil]

Will eat and cuc and shrimp for sure. They grow fast. Juvenile 1 inch can grow to 2.5 inch in 1 year...

 

[anbosu]

Do they keep their colors as they mature?

 

[evolved]

Do they keep their colors as they mature?

As Halichoeres go, yes.

 

[anbosu]

As Halichoeres go, yes.

Cool, I might have to look into one of these, I don't think I'd heard of them until recently.