Spotlight - Earmuff Wrasse (Halichoeres Melasmapomus)

[RMS18]

We have 2 new additions to our 120 and I cannot be happier with our decision. We received these two tiny girls (2 inch's each) last Friday.

After a long acclimation, they both dove for the sand. One came out yesterday for the first time for a few hours. The other one came out today for only an hour.

We we're able to fill their stomachs before they went back Into the sand.

While they were out my wife snapped these pictures. For 2 hours during certain times a year we get natural sunlight that hits the tank. Don't mind the uglies, tank is 3 months old.

Last picture is THE shot imo.

Enjoy!

 

[mattzang]

beautiful fish, i'd love to have one someday

 

[RMS18]

beautiful fish, i'd love to have one someday

Thanks, can't wait for them to mature and grow into full colors.
Why not keep one now? They are peaceful, do require a sand bed however.

 

[nereefpat]

Very pretty.

Will two live together as adults?

 

[mattzang]

Thanks, can't wait for them to mature and grow into full colors.
Why not keep one now? They are peaceful, do require a sand bed however.

my tank is too small and i already have two halichoeres wrasses

 

[RMS18]

Very pretty.

Will two live together as adults?

They should be fine. Halichoeres are sexually dichromatic so in the presence of another of the same species one may become dominant over the other and turn to male. This occurred with my leopard wrasses.

I believe this is a male.

 

[nereefpat]

They should be fine. Halichoeres are sexually dichromatic so in the presence of another of the same species one may become dominant over the other and turn to male. This occurred with my leopard wrasses.

I believe this is a male.

Yes, many genera are sexually dimorphic, and folks do keep multiple leopards. But, with Halichoeres spp I'm worried both will transition to male and not tolerate each other. Time will tell.

 

[evolved]

They should be fine. Halichoeres are sexually dichromatic so in the presence of another of the same species one may become dominant over the other and turn to male. This occurred with my leopard wrasses.

Be very observant. That is how it is "supposed" to work, but typically does not in captivity. You may eventually end up with two males, and then possibly one victim. https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/pairing-wrasses-thats-not-how-any-of-this-works.3/

I believe this is a male.

It is.

 

[Kenneth_Parrack]

Where did you get them? I've been looking for them!

 

[PranK]

Absolutely stunning.

They are native to Aust but I don't recall ever seeing one for sale.

http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2293

 

[eatbreakfast]

Agreed that in most cases multiple specimens of the same species of Halichoeres don't work out as adults, as all individuals have a tendency to transition into males, even if a male is already present, and males usually don't get along.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Very nice fish and pictures. Wrasses will always classify as some of the prettiest fish in the industry

 

[RMS18]

Where did you get them? I've been looking for them!

I picked them up from marinecollectors.com Nathan is the owner.. he charges a bit more but he fully qt's the fish and treats them. Treats the food, fw dips, copper and will treat for anything that may pop up. He doesn't have much inventory, he will to out and find what you want.

 

[Gonebad395]

Those are some stunning wrasses beautiful fish my friend enjoy

 

[4FordFamily]

I love Earmuff wrasse, unfortunately people mix up Halichoeres Melasmapomus and Halichoeres Xanti. They look different, and to be honesty I am not sure which it is that I like more. I believe it's the Melasmapomus which is far less frequently collected -- it's probably just a regional variant.

Your fish are very beautiful, I've seen some males that were to die for. One day I will try my hand again. I have received several female "Xanti" that look like the ones you have but they didn't last but 24 hours. I tried three and quit.

perhaps @evolved or @eatbreakfast could clarify for me.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I love Earmuff wrasse, unfortunately people mix up Halichoeres Melasmapomus and Halichoeres Xanti. They look different, and to be honesty I am not sure which it is that I like more. I believe it's the Melasmapomus which is far less frequently collected -- it's probably just a regional variant.

Your fish are very beautiful, I've seen some males that were to die for. One day I will try my hand again. I have received several female "Xanti" that look like the ones you have but they didn't last but 24 hours. I tried three and quit.

perhaps @evolved or @eatbreakfast could clarify for me.

They are the same fish. Xanti is the junior synonym of melasmapomas. The color differences aren't that regional either. Some individuals are more red on the spectrum, others are more blue.

 

[evolved]

I love Earmuff wrasse, unfortunately people mix up Halichoeres Melasmapomus and Halichoeres Xanti. They look different, and to be honesty I am not sure which it is that I like more. I believe it's the Melasmapomus which is far less frequently collected -- it's probably just a regional variant.

Uh, you're the one that's mixed up.
H. melasmapomus is the only valid name. H. xanti is a questionable synonymn of H. bicolor.

 

[mattzang]

I picked them up from marinecollectors.com Nathan is the owner.. he charges a bit more but he fully qt's the fish and treats them. Treats the food, fw dips, copper and will treat for anything that may pop up. He doesn't have much inventory, he will to out and find what you want.

I've seen BRS recommend them lately, pretty good experience I take it? What was the cost like?

 

[4FordFamily]

http://www.qualitymarine.com/Products/Fish/Wild/Wrasses/Halichoeres-melasmapomus/xanti/Earmuff-Male

They're listed as dual names here, that makes sense thanks guys.

 

[evolved]

http://www.qualitymarine.com/Products/Fish/Wild/Wrasses/Halichoeres-melasmapomus/xanti/Earmuff-Male

They're listed as dual names here, that makes sense thanks guys.

I don't understand how xanti ever got tied to melasmapomus.
Fishbase:
Halichoeres xanti (Károli, 1882): Ambiguous synonym for Halichoeres bicolor ((Károli, 1882))

Unless it's simply anyone guess what fish was in a 1882 sketch, I'm not understanding it.