Marble Hortulanus Checkerboard Wrasse ((Halichoeres hortulanus)

The Marble Wrasse, otherwise known as the Checkerboard Wrasse, change colors with maturation.

As juveniles, they are iridescent white in body with yellow dorsal and caudal fins. They are marked with black dots, patches, and stripes. Once they’ve matured, their bodies transform from white to silver and their markings turn into the checkerboard pattern they are named after. Their faces are colored light green with orange and they are marked with pink stripes.

 

It is best to house the Marble Wrasse in a 125 gallon tank or larger with a tight-fitted lid and sand on the bottom for hiding, burrowing, and sleeping. These fish are rather peaceful and can be kept with other fish and their own species.They can be kept in reef aquariums, but with caution. They eat fireworms, pyramidellid snails, protecting corals, and clams, and they may feed on wild shrimp, feather dusters, tubeworms, and flatworms.

 

Diet

The diet of the Marble Wrasse should include: meaty foods such as brine shrimp and mysis shrimp, marine algae, marine pellets, and marine flakes.