The Christmas Wrasse (Halichoeres claudia), also known as Claudia’s Wrasse or the Ornamental Wrasse, is a vibrant marine fish celebrated for its striking coloration and active behavior.
Key Information
• Small fish safe: ✅ Yes
• Small invert safe: ⚠️ With caution
• Coral safe: ✅ Yes
• Minimum tank size: 190 liters (50 gallons)
• Adult size: Up to 12.7 cm (5 inches)
• Diet: Carnivorous, feeding on small benthic crustaceans and mollusks.
• Be aware of: Requires a sandy substrate for burrowing; may prey on small invertebrates such as shrimp and tubeworms; known to jump, so a secure lid is essential.
Appearance and Coloration
The Christmas Wrasse exhibits sexual dimorphism, with distinct differences between males and females:
• Males (Terminal Phase): Greenish body adorned with a lattice-like pattern of pinkish to orange stripes and bars on the sides, pinkish to orange bands on the head, a black ocellus (eye spot) on the middle of the dorsal fin, and a small dark spot behind the eye.
• Females (Initial Phase): Orange stripes along the sides and a small second dark ocellus on the rear of the dorsal fin.
These vibrant patterns make the Christmas Wrasse a visually appealing addition to marine aquariums.
Natural Habitat and Behavior
In the wild, Christmas Wrasses inhabit lagoons and outer reef slopes at depths up to 35 meters. They are distributed across the Indo-West-Central Pacific, from Indonesia and the Philippines to Taiwan and southern Japan, extending south to New Caledonia and east to the Line Islands and the Tuamotus in French Polynesia. In Australia, they are found on offshore reefs of north Western Australia, Cartier Reef in the Timor Sea, and the northern Great Barrier Reef in Queensland.
These wrasses are active swimmers, often seen foraging for small invertebrates among the substrate. They are known to bury themselves in the sand when frightened or sleeping, a behavior that underscores the importance of a suitable sandy substrate in captivity.
Tank Requirements and Water Parameters
To ensure the well-being of the Christmas Wrasse in captivity:
• Minimum Tank Size: A 50-gallon (190 liters) aquarium is recommended to provide ample space.
• Water Parameters:
• Temperature: 22°C – 26°C (72°F – 78°F)
• pH: 8.1 – 8.4
• Specific Gravity: 1.020 – 1.025
• Substrate: A sandy bottom of at least 7.5 cm (3 inches) is essential, as they burrow into the sand to sleep or when threatened.
• Aquascaping: Provide ample live rock to create hiding spots and foraging areas, mimicking their natural reef habitat.
• Lighting: Moderate lighting is suitable.
• Water Movement: Moderate flow to simulate their natural environment.
Maintaining stable water conditions and high water quality is crucial for their health. A mature, well-established aquarium will support their natural behaviors and provide necessary shelter.
Diet and Feeding
Christmas Wrasses are carnivorous and adapt well to captive diets:
• Diet: Offer a varied diet consisting of:
• Vitamin-enriched frozen mysis shrimp
• Vitamin-enriched frozen brine shrimp
• Other meaty foods
• High-quality marine flake and pellet food
Feeding small amounts multiple times a day can help maintain their energy levels and vibrant coloration.
Compatibility and Social Structure
Christmas Wrasses are generally peaceful but can exhibit territorial behavior, especially towards similar species:
• Social Structure: Best kept singly or in a male-female pair unless in a very large aquarium where multiple individuals can establish territories.
• Temperament: May act aggressively towards other wrasses or similar-shaped fish, especially if inadequately fed or if the habitat lacks hiding places.
• Compatible Tank Mates: Suitable companions include peaceful community fish such as gobies, blennies, and other non-aggressive wrasses. Caution is advised when housing with other wrasses or species with similar coloration.
Observing their interactions and providing ample space can help mitigate aggressive behaviors. Due to their territorial nature, they should be housed with non-aggressive tank mates to prevent stress.
Important Considerations
• Reef Compatibility: Considered reef-safe, they should leave corals and other beneficial invertebrates alone.
• Acclimation: They may be shy upon introduction but typically become more confident over time.
• Health: Ensure a varied diet and stable water conditions to prevent common health issues.
• Jumping Behavior: Known to be jumpers, so a covered aquarium is essential to prevent escape.
With proper care and attention to their specific needs, Christmas Wrasses can be a vibrant and beneficial addition to a marine aquarium.