Common name: Shoulder-spot wrasse
General information
The Bluecheek Rainbow Wrasse, scientifically known as Leptojulis cyanopleura, is a captivating and colorful addition to any saltwater aquarium. This species is known for its vibrant blue cheeks, which contrast beautifully with its yellow and green body. It is a member of the family Labridae, which includes the wrasses, known for their bright colors and interesting behaviors.
Details
- Recommended minimum volume
- 75 liter (20 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.022 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 12 cm (5″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Prefers live rock for hiding
- Diet
- Carnivore Enjoys mysis, brine shrimp
- Social
- Pair Can be kept in pairs
- Reefsafe
- Yes
- Aggression
- Peaceful
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyWrassesLabridae
- GenusWrasseLeptojulis
- SpeciesShoulder-spot wrasseLeptojulis cyanopleura (Bleeker, 1853)
- SynonymsHalichoeres cyanopleura (Bleeker, 1853)Julis cyanopleura Bleeker, 1853Julis finlaysoni Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1839Julis purpureolineatus Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1839Julis pyrrhogrammatoides Bleeker, 1853Leptojulis pyrrhogrammatoides (Bleeker, 1853)
Care
Bluecheek Rainbow Wrasses are active swimmers and require an aquarium with plenty of space to roam. They thrive in well-established tanks with a sandy substrate and ample rockwork to provide hiding places and territories. These wrasses are generally peaceful but can be territorial towards their own kind or similar-looking fish. A varied diet of meaty foods, such as mysis shrimp and brine shrimp, supplemented with high-quality marine pellets, will help maintain their health and coloration.
Reproduction
In the wild, Bluecheek Rainbow Wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they are born female and can change to male if the dominant male is absent. In the aquarium, breeding is rare, but providing a group with one male and several females may encourage natural social behaviors and potential breeding.
Habitat
Leptojulis cyanopleura is found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. They are typically seen in coral-rich areas of lagoons and seaward reefs, often at depths ranging from 2 to 30 meters. Their natural habitat includes a variety of coral and rocky substrates where they can forage for small invertebrates.