Common name: Black wrasse

General information

The Yellow-axil Wrasse, Halichoeres melanochir, is a vibrant and active fish that adds both color and dynamism to a saltwater aquarium. It is part of the diverse and colorful wrasse family, known for their interesting behaviors and pest control abilities. This species is particularly noted for its striking yellow spot on the gill cover, which is the origin of its common name.

Juveniles and females typically exhibit a pale green to yellowish body with a distinctive black spot on the dorsal fin. As they mature, males develop more vivid coloration, with a mix of green, blue, and yellow hues, and the black spot becomes less pronounced.

Care

Yellow-axil Wrasses are hardy and adaptable, making them suitable for both novice and experienced aquarists. They require a well-established aquarium with a sandy substrate for burrowing and plenty of live rock for hiding and hunting. A tightly fitting lid is essential, as wrasses are known jumpers. They thrive on a varied diet of meaty foods, including frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and quality marine flake and pellet foods.

Reproduction

In the wild, Halichoeres melanochir exhibits protogynous hermaphroditism, where individuals start life as females and can change to males as they grow larger and more dominant. In the aquarium, breeding is less common, but providing a group with multiple females and a single male may encourage natural social structures and potential breeding behavior.

Habitat

The Yellow-axil Wrasse is found in the Western Pacific, from the Philippines and Indonesia to northern Australia. They inhabit coral-rich areas of lagoons and seaward reefs, often seen darting among the corals and sand. They are typically found at depths ranging from shallow waters to about 30 meters.