Barred Thicklip Wrasse

Add Hemigymnus Wrasse to well established aquariums. Provide an aquarium with ample rock work with plenty of crevices, cracks, caves and a deep sand bed. Careful planning should be taken as Hemigymnus become very large and are difficult to maintain in home aquariums. House only one Hemigymnus as they may become territorial. If frightened they may bury themselves in the sand. These Wrasse will pick up mouthfuls of sand, sift it for crustaceans and then spit out the sand. Hemigymnus Wrasse generally feed on benthic invertebrates and small fish. Provide a diet rich in meaty foods fed multiple times daily. Adults may require live foods such as Grass or Glass shrimp in order to maintain good health. Wrasse are hermaphrodites meaning they start as juveniles/females but at some point in their life may turn into a male. Wrasse are jumpers be sure to provide an aquarium with a tight fitting lid.

The Barred Thicklip Wrasse are sometimes also known as the Five Band Wrasse. Not often seen in the aquarium trade. Juveniles and adults will have color differences. Juveniles are black with white stripes on their body as they mature the white stripes begin to thicken and they develop various colored stripes on their heads. Barred Thicklip Wrasse can grow to almost 30".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 250 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH