which is the real Christmas wrasse?

[Felixc]

Halichoeres ornatissimus or Halichoeres cosmetus?

Is one considered a "false christmas wrasse"?

 

[Dante_JoseCuerv]

The real one is ornatissimus

 

[Felixc]

Is H.cosmetus considered the false...if there was one?

 

[Dante_JoseCuerv]

I believe so.

 

[A sea K]

My LFS labels H. melanurus as a christmas wrasse also.

 

[Dante_JoseCuerv]

Hmmm... I could see that, I mean the two do look much alike but the more common name for H. melanurus is the duskytail wrasse.

 

[Felixc]

Really? I don't think they look alike at all, other then the similar elongate body. The h.ornatissumus is the most vibrant of the 3 mentioned. I currently have the H.cosmotes and H.melanurus and not yet seen the H.ornatissumus in person but by the pictures, it's one spectacular fish.