Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Peaceful

They are active, engaging, and remarkably peaceful towards non-food items. Their juvenile cleaning behavior makes them highly beneficial and interactive tankmates. They bring a lot of movement and bright coloration to a peaceful reef setup.

Diet

Carnivore

This species is a carnivore that requires a varied meaty diet. Mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood are excellent choices. They are also known to actively clean external parasites off other tankmates.

Sex ratio

Solitary

It is safest to maintain them as a single individual in most displays. Pairs can be attempted if they are introduced as juveniles simultaneously. Adult males will display intense aggression towards any competing male conspecifics.

Feeding frequency

TWO_THREE_DAILY

Feed them small amounts two to three times daily for optimal health. Their active swimming requires a constantly replenished source of energy. They will eagerly accept foods from the water column and the substrate.

Bioload

The comb wrasse has a moderate bioload that is easily managed. Consistent maintenance and a good protein skimmer are more than adequate. It does not produce an excessive amount of waste compared to tangs.

Flow

Strong

They enjoy moderate to high water flow which mimics their natural coastal environments. Strong flow helps distribute food particles evenly for them to catch. It also ensures the deep sand bed they require stays relatively clean.

Jump risk

Yes

Like most wrasses, the comb wrasse is highly prone to jumping out of open tanks. A perfectly sealed mesh lid is an absolute requirement for keeping them safely. Any small gaps around the overflow or cables must be completely covered.

Reproduction

Protogynous hermaphrodite

There are no confirmed reports of successful captive breeding for this species. Their complex pelagic larval stage requires conditions impossible to recreate at home. They will simply live out their natural lifespans without multiplying in aquariums.

Compatibility & tankmates

Verify

It is a peaceful community fish that gets along with most reef inhabitants. It acts as a cleaner fish in its juvenile stage, aiding other larger fish. However, large adult specimens might opportunistically eat small ornamental shrimp.

Tank level

All levels

They spend most of their time in the lower and middle strata of the tank. A deep, fine sandy substrate is absolutely vital for their nighttime sleeping habits. They will predictably dive straight into the sand when stressed or tired.