Red Lined Wrasse

Bold, beautiful, and brimming with personality, the elegantly-striped Red-Lined Wrasse makes the perfect addition to your showcase reef aquarium. Also known in the hobby as the False-eyed or Biocellate Wrasse, juvenile Halichoeres biocellatus and sub adults are easily identifiable by a pair of ocelli on the dorsal fin which disappear with growth.

In the home aquarium, try to replicate seaward reefs of mixed coral and reef rock with sand patches. The Red-Lined Wrasse also prefers to inhabit reef crests and slopes on rocky or rubble-algae substrates. A 50 gallon or larger aquarium with a tight-fitting lid and a 2-3 inch sandy bottom to hide under if frightened makes an ideal environment. Stock with other peaceful wrasses, including other Halichoeres biocellatus.

The Red-Lined Wrasse will eat fireworms and pyramidellid snails; protecting corals and clams. In addition, it may eat feather dusters, wild shrimp, tubeworms, and flatworms. It may also eat parasites off of tank mates. The Red-lined Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods. These fish should be offered small quantities of food several times per day.