Halichoeres leucoxanthus vs. h. chrysus

[Lynnmw1208]

What is the difference between these 2 wrasses? Is it just color variation or is it temperament as well? I was looking at getting h. chrysus and was curious.

 

[Lynnmw1208]

no one?

 

[Korrine]

I love wrasses to death, but honestly I have no idea. I didn't even look at H. L. until you asked this question. I would go with the chrysus because a lot more is known about them. Have you tried wetwebmedia.com for the other fish yet?

 

[Luiz Rocha]

They are very different, Halichoeres chrysus is entirely yellow, Halichoeres leucoxanthus has a yellow back but white belly. Check photos here:

http://www.fishbase.org/photos/thumbnailssummary.php?ID=7806

http://www.fishbase.org/photos/thumbnailssummary.php?ID=4855

As far as temperament go, as Korrine says a lot is known about H. chrysus because they are more common in the trade, but I don't expect them to be very different.