Common name: Eared maori wrasse
General information
The Celebes Wrasse, scientifically known as Oxycheilinus celebicus, is a vibrant and active fish that adds both color and dynamism to a saltwater aquarium. This species is known for its striking appearance, with a mix of pink, red, and blue hues that can vary between individuals. The Celebes Wrasse is a part of the Labridae family, which is renowned for its members' cleaning behaviors and their role in maintaining the health of coral reefs.
Details
- Recommended minimum volume
- 300 liter (79 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 25 cm (10″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Needs hiding places and live rock
- Diet
- Carnivore Enjoys meaty foods and live prey
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone
- Reefsafe
- No May nip at corals and clams
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Can be aggressive to tank mates
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyWrassesLabridae
- GenusWrasseOxycheilinus
- SpeciesEared maori wrasseOxycheilinus celebicus (Bleeker, 1853)
- SynonymsCheilinus celebicus Bleeker, 1853Cheilinus hoevenii Bleeker, 1862Cheilinus oxyrhynchus Bleeker, 1862
Care
Celebes Wrasses are moderately easy to care for but do require a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock for hiding and hunting. They are known to jump, so a tightly fitting lid or screen is necessary to prevent escape. These wrasses are carnivorous and thrive on a diet of meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood. They are also beneficial for controlling pests like pyramidellid snails and flatworms.
Reproduction
In the wild, Oxycheilinus celebicus is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals start life as females and can change to males as they mature. In the aquarium, breeding these wrasses can be challenging due to their complex social structures and the need for precise environmental conditions.
Habitat
Celebes Wrasses are found in the Western Pacific, particularly around Indonesia and the Philippines. They prefer reef environments with plenty of live rock and coral where they can hunt for food and hide from predators. In the wild, they are typically found at depths ranging from shallow waters to about 30 meters.
Hobbyists should aim to replicate their natural habitat as closely as possible to ensure the well-being and longevity of these beautiful fish in captivity.