Halichoeres Melasmapomus (Earmuff Wrasse)

skibum9884

skibum9884

Active member
Hi, does anyone have any info about the Earmuff Wrasse, Halichoeres Melasmapomus? Info on the web about them is pretty slim, but I think it is a beautiful fish. I may pick one up very soon.

Here's the only picture I have:
halichoeresmelasmapomus.jpg
 
I had a Vanuatu collected one for 3 years until a recent tank crash. No different than most other Halichoeres except maybe more hardy (but this may have more to do with collection point). I believe they are also deeper dwelling than most Halichoeres. I miss mine...
 
What limited info I have says they are one of the larger Halichoeres wrasse with an adult size near 10". Otherwise behaviour should be pretty much the same.
 
Sedgro, how big was yours after 3 years? I've never seen a 10" halichoeres wrasse. I think it'd be beautiful, but doubt it would get that big once in captivity.
 
I dont know if the H melasmopomus will but both my H iridis and H chrysurus have reached the full adult size of 4 to 5 inches.
 
So, I went ahead and picked this guy up at the store today. I think it's a good looking fish and only stands to improve with time and size.

I'll get some pictures up here ASAP so everyone can see.
 
So, here she is. Still very shy, so it's hard to get good pictures. Eating very well and looks to be healthy. I love the color around its head!

IMG_0772-1.jpg


It's interesting how mine has a pinkish hue to the body while the one in the picture above has more of a green/blue body. There was a large one in the display at the store with a pinkish hue like mine, absolutely beautiful and probably 5" or so.
 
did anyone else see the supermale on DD tonight? it looked awesome. i need to know more about this wrasse before i decide to get one. i am a little concerned with it's size potential. i have a radient right now and some fairies and flashers as well. i dont want him to turn into a terror as he gets bigger/older. i have heard of melanarus doing this. eating clams, all your shrimp, crabs, snails, etc..which is why i am hesitent on this species, my radient is getting bigger but still small, he does like the occasional snail or crab but otherwise is a model citizen.
let see and hear more about these earmuff wrasse!!
 
They are just like any other halichoeres wrasse, but they d o get bigger than a melanurus, so the damage they do is slightly more, but they dont get quite as big as an iridis. If they are the only halichoeres in a tank they become intolerant of other halichoeres wrasses, but are just fine with other genus of wrasse.
 
i've had one for ~ 1 year in a 125 fowlr with sand and rock. He/she is awesome and easy. I have two other Halichoeres (vroliki and melanarus) and they get along without issue. He eats pellets, flakes, and frozen.
 
Hey everyone, I have had my male Earmuff wrasse since November of 2011 and I absolutely love him! He is a very peaceful fish and has never shown any aggression towards my other wrasse, which is a Mystery Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus ocellatus), or any of my other fish. Nor have any of my fish pushed him around. I don't know whether or not he would behave the same way with another Halichoeres. With that being said, he does show interest in snails and other small inverts such as hermits. However, he does leave my coral banded shrimp and tiger pistol shrimp alone. He readily accepts most forms of food and primarily lives on mysis shrimp. He has been a very hardy (never been ill, malnourished, or shy) and active addition to my tank and would definitely recommend one.

Here is a link to a picture of him http://www.flickr.com/photos/52128329@N05/7199874936/in/photostream/lightbox/
 
beautiful photo.

Bsesh0149 said:
Hey everyone, I have had my male Earmuff wrasse since November of 2011 and I absolutely love him! He is a very peaceful fish and has never shown any aggression towards my other wrasse, which is a Mystery Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus ocellatus), or any of my other fish. Nor have any of my fish pushed him around. I don't know whether or not he would behave the same way with another Halichoeres. With that being said, he does show interest in snails and other small inverts such as hermits. However, he does leave my coral banded shrimp and tiger pistol shrimp alone. He readily accepts most forms of food and primarily lives on mysis shrimp. He has been a very hardy (never been ill, malnourished, or shy) and active addition to my tank and would definitely recommend one.

Here is a link to a picture of him http://www.flickr.com/photos/52128329@N05/7199874936/in/photostream/lightbox/
Click to expand...
 
Picking up a juvenile one on Thursday - 1 1/2 - 2" that was ordered for us for our half round tank. Can't wait to see what it looks like.
 
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