New Addition: Snooty Maori Wrasse

[small alien]

After a little research, I couldn't pass up this really cool fish. It's about 3" with tail right now. Hard to get a shot but here's what I got.

 

[small alien]

Color is really variable and changes in an instant from solid red to an almost greyish white. And then the red with white markings. Behavior and swimming style reminds me of a somewhat hulking possum wrasse.

 

[snorvich]

I have never seen Cheilinus oxycephalus for sale. Where did you get it? Really cool fish!!!

 

[small alien]

Hi Steve. Thanks for bringing in the actual name. I couldn't remember it and was too lazy to look it up just now.

I got it at Barrier Reef in Renton, WA, a suburb of Seattle. I had never seen one before other than in Scott Michael's book.

 

[anbosu]

The maori's are awesome, I'd love a chance to pick one up someday - nice fish!

 

[small alien]

Thanks for taking a peek.

 

[small alien]

Here's a sketchy video of the fish eating. It's quite the hog. I can't imagine how much this thing is going to eat when it matures.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2mi6VwjT-lI?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[eatbreakfast]

This is actually one of the few fish in the Genus that is appropriately sized for most hobbyists tanks. Completely laid back, not aggressive towards other wrasses at all, and the color changing aspect is super cool about them.

 

[small alien]

That echoes my reading on the matter and my observations so far.

 

[small alien]

Here's another little video. You can get a feel for the swimming style. Kind of camera shy though. You can also see the fish "resting" on the bottom at one point which it does.

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mh8UEroezNA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Marshall O]

Wow, awesome assortment of fish you have there! As far as the new guy, it very much reminds me of a large scale Possum Wrasse in its swimming and behavior. Very cool, thanks for sharing!

 

[humaguy]

Here's another little video. You can get a feel for the swimming style. Kind of camera shy though. You can also see the fish "resting" on the bottom at one point which it does.

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mh8UEroezNA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Killer! :beer:

 

[NyReefNoob]

actually store i work at has had them a couple times lol i never paid much attention to them