Halichoerus Chloropterus – Green Wrasse (M)

The Green Wrasse, also known as the Pastel Green Wrasse or Green Coris, is a beautiful fish featuring an attractive, pastel green coloration. Though it lacks the elaborate patterns or intricate markings of other Halichoeres Wrasse, the Green Wrasse injects spectacular visual interest to any marine aquarium thanks to its vibrant green coloration. The Green Wrasse is an active fish that occupies most of its time foraging for juicy tidbits to feed upon. The Green Wrasse is often lauded as an ideal wrasse in the community aquarium setting as it quite passive in nature. However, larger older specimen are known to demonstrate aggression towards smaller, more passive fish including wrasses.

The ideal setup for the Green Wrasse will be a well-established saltwater aquarium of at least 75 gallons in size with a tight-fitting lid. Aquascape liberally with live rock, providing ample nooks and crannies for your Green Wrasse to explore, seek refuge, or forage for food. Be sure to include a large area of open substrate as well as open spaces for swimming. A sandy substrate layer 2-3 inches in depth is essential to provide shelter for the Green Wrasse as it burrows into the sand for the evening or when frightened. House the Green Wrasse with other peaceful wrasses, including members of its own species.

The natural diet of the Green Wrasse consists of benthic invertebrates and as such, large, hungry Green Wrasse will eat fireworms and pyramidellid snails, protecting corals and clams from these undesirable invertebrates. Though this hearty appetite for invertebrates seems beneficial, keep in mind that the Green Wrasse cannot differentiate between “undesirable” and “desirable” invertebrates. If the opportunity presents itself, the Green Wrasse will most likely make a meal of “desirable” ornamental invertebrates including fan worms, shrimp, and other crustaceans in the home aquarium. However, the Green Wrasse typically will not harm sessile invertebrates including soft or stony corals.

In the home aquarium, the diet of the Green Wrasse should consist of a diverse variety of food items including vitamin-enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with high-quality marine flakes and marine pellet foods. The Green Wrasse will benefit from frequent small feedings throughout the day.