{"product_id":"dusky-wrasse","title":"Dusky Wrasse","description":"\u003ch1 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDusky Wrasse\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHalichoeres marginatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Intermediate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Peaceful to Semi-Aggressive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiet:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Carnivore\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e With Caution\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMinimum Aquarium Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approx. 285L+\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approx. 15cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Indo-Pacific\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDusky Wrasse\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHalichoeres marginatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e) is a relatively uncommon marine wrasse with impressive adult colouration and the active, inquisitive behaviour typical of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHalichoeres\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e genus.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColouration changes considerably depending on age and sex. Juveniles and females tend to be more subdued, while mature males can develop an incredible mix of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003edusky blue, green, yellow, red and orange\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, including a distinctive green crescent marking near the base of the tail.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Care\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDusky Wrasses are best kept in a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emature marine aquarium\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e with plenty of live rock, open swimming space and a suitable sandy substrate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEMA recommends an aquarium of at least \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e75 gallons, or approximately 285 litres\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA sand bed around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e5–7cm deep\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is important, as Dusky Wrasses naturally bury themselves at night and may dive into the substrate when frightened.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlenty of rockwork should also be provided for shelter and foraging, while leaving enough open space for active swimming.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA secure aquarium lid is strongly recommended, as wrasses are capable jumpers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Dusky Wrasse is a carnivore and active forager that naturally searches rockwork and substrate for small benthic invertebrates.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable foods include:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrozen mysis shrimp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnriched brine shrimp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuality marine pellets\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarine flakes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrozen marine blends\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFinely chopped seafood\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEMA recommends frequent smaller meals throughout the day to suit the species' active feeding behaviour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReef Compatibility\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Dusky Wrasse is best considered \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ereef safe with caution\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt generally leaves soft and stony corals alone, but larger individuals may prey on desirable invertebrates including:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrnamental shrimp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmall crabs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFan worms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOther small crustaceans\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey may also hunt less desirable aquarium inhabitants such as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efireworms and pyramidellid snails\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which can make their natural foraging behaviour useful in some systems.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColour Development\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the biggest attractions of the Dusky Wrasse is how dramatically its appearance can change as it matures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdult males are particularly impressive, developing far stronger blue, green, yellow, orange and red colouration than juveniles and females.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis makes the Dusky Wrasse an excellent choice for aquarists wanting a fish that becomes increasingly striking as it matures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy We Like Them\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Dusky Wrasse combines \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eexcellent adult colouration, constant activity and interesting natural hunting behaviour\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in one fish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey're also considerably less common in the aquarium trade than many familiar wrasses, making them a great option for someone wanting something a little different in a larger marine aquarium.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJust remember that while they're generally safe with corals, small ornamental invertebrates may eventually become food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"EMA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67583564185677,"sku":null,"price":159.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0571\/2180\/0269\/files\/New-Template-2025-01-03T184258.664.webp?v=1791365914","url":"https:\/\/simplyfish.co.nz\/products\/dusky-wrasse","provider":"Simply Fish","version":"1.0","type":"link"}