Black Margin Maori Wrasse

Oxycheilinus Wrasse should be added to well established aquariums with plenty of room to swim. Plenty of rock work with rubble as Oxycheilinus Wrasse are rock movers and will spend a significant amount of hunting by moving rocks and rubble looking for potential prey. A deep sand bend should also be provided as Oxycheilinus Wrasse will sleep in the sand bend and will dive into the sand bed when frightened. They are not reef safe and will pick at and consume benthic invertebrates such as snails, tubeworms, sea stars, cucumbers, urchins, crabs, shrimp and small fish. A diet rich in meaty based foods along with live foods such as black worms or adult fortified Brine shrimp if sufficient prey is not readily available. Males, females and juveniles may exhibit significant color differences. Wrasse are hermaphrodites meaning they start as juveniles/females but at some point in their life may turn into a male. Only 1 Oxycheilinus Wrasse should be housed in the aquarium as they can be be quite aggressive. Wrasse are jumpers, provide an aquarium with a tight fitting lid.

The Black Margin Maori Wrasse are not often seen in the aquarium trade. Black Margin Maori Wrasse are an overall red color with five thin light color stripes on the top of its body, pale belly color and three light stripes that are made up of small white spots and a dark magin on the caudal fin that is thicker in males. Black Margin Maori Wrasse can grow to a little over 6".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 50 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