Filamented Flasher Wrasse
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
When displaying, the male flasher wrasse is among the most arresting species on the reef. Scott W. Michael
Overview
One of the most glorious of all the reef fishes, male Filamented Flasher Wrasses engage in a dynamic dance when displaying toward rivals and potential mates. This is a highly commendable fish for peaceful communities and reef aquariums.
Family: Labridae
Other common name(s):
- Filamentous Wrasse
Native range:
- Western Pacific
- Similan Islands
- Andaman Sea
- Christmas Island
- Kranket Islands
- Madang
- New Guinea
- Manado
- Celebes
- Concorus Islands
- Cuyo Islands
- Philippines
- Solomon Islands
- Ryukyu Islands
- Taiwan
- Palau
- Great Barrier Reef
Habitat: Reef. Provide swimming space and plenty of hiding places.
Maximum length: 10 cm (4 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 114 L (30 gal)
Water: Marine 24 °C (75 °F) - 28 °C (82 °F)
General swimming level: Mid-water to top.
Feeding
Carnivore. Feed meaty foods, at least twice a day.
Aquarium Compatibility
This fish rarely bothers its tankmates, but males may incessantly chase other flasher wrasse species, especially in close quarters. It is often picked on by more aggressive species—if this happens, the flasher will hide most of the time or hang in the upper corners of the aquarium (when stressed like this, the colors become blotchy). Keep one male per tank. You can house a male with one or more females in a more spacious aquarium (over 100 gallons [380L]). Females lack the filaments on the dorsal fin. Flasher wrasses will not harm invertebrates.
Breeding/Propagation
Egg scatterers that produce pelagic eggs, often in midwater mating rituals. Both eggs and larvae that drift with plankton in the water column and settle back onto a reef at about the time of metamorphosis. These are among the most challenging types of marine fishes to propagate in captivity.
Notes
The display of the male is something to behold. The fish will erect all its fins and then dash around the tank like a kite in a strong wind. During this display, the colors also intensify. When it is not trying to impress its tankmates, it will slowly scull about the tank looking for food in the water column and may occasionally pick a morsel off the aquarium bottom. It is prone to leaping from open aquariums.