Ornate Wrasse (Halichoeres ornatissimus)
Fish in the family Labridae. Moderate care. Reef Safe with Caution.
Quick facts
Appearance
The Ornate Wrasse is a small, vibrant fish with a distinctive green body overlaid with bright blue and yellow vertical stripes running along its flanks. Males display more intense coloration than females, with blue-green heads and orange-red accents on the body. The body is streamlined and laterally compressed, typical of wrasses, with pointed pectoral fins used for precise maneuvering through reef crevices.
Diet and feeding
In captivity, feed frozen mysis shrimp, small frozen crustaceans (copepods, amphipods), and high-quality carnivore flakes. Supplement with live microfauna by maintaining a refugium or allowing copepod populations to establish on live rock.
Difficulty and care for the Ornate Wrasse
Moderate - Requires some experience due to specific dietary water or tank requirements. Best suited for intermediate aquarists.
Common health issues
Parasitic infections (ich), nutritional deficiencies if fed inadequate live foods, stress-related disease
Origin and habitat
Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the Red Sea and East Africa through Indonesia to the Hawaiian Islands and the Great Barrier Reef.
Log Ornate Wrasse in your reef tank
Reef Trak gives you the full record on every species in your tank: acquisition date, source, photos, parameters at time of stocking, and links to maintenance and feeding events. Track Ornate Wrasse alongside everything else in your reef.
Related Fish
