http://www.masa.asn.au/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=259315

[Azedenkae]

Hi guys,

Have anyone kept one of these guys?

My research finds that they (at least juveniles) associate with certain anemones, specifically the Bubble-Tip anemone. Which is pretty cool.

And that they co-exist with the anemonefish associated with said anemones.

Have anyone seen such behaviour?

 

[SDguy]

I've never heard of any wrasse associating with an anemone. Where did you read this?

 

[Azedenkae]

What the hell did I do to the title of this topic. >.<

Supposed to be 'Blunted Head Wrasse (Thalassoma amblycephalum)'.

Anyways, here: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022098105003473

In the paper they did a controlled experiment where they shoved normal fish (blennies) into anemones (Bubbletip and I think Gigs) vs. shoving these wrasse in and see what happened. The blenny as expected died rather quickly. The Blunted Head Wrasse wasn't affected, pretty much at all by the Bubble Tip.

The juveniles are observed in the wild to associate with those two anemones.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Yes, juveniles of this species, and a handful of other Thalasomma and Halichoeres are observed utilizing anemones for refuge.

 

[SDguy]

Very neat.