Green-band Wrasse
Halichoeres bathyphilus
An elegant deep-water specialist from the Western Atlantic, this wrasse dazzles with striking pink and green colors. It thrives in spacious tanks with cooler waters and a deep aragonite sand bed.
Water Temperature
22 - 26 °C
pH Value
8.1 - 8.4
Water type
Marine
Tank level
Bottom and middle
Adult size
7.5 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 150 L
Minimum group
>= 1
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Halichoeres bathyphilus is native to the Western Atlantic Ocean, ranging from North Carolina (USA) through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean down to Brazil. It is a deep-reef specialist, typically found at depths of 20 to 150 meters over sandy and rubble areas near deep reefs.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Classified in the Labridae family. It features a streamlined, elongated body shape and small pharyngeal teeth. It reaches an adult length of 7-8 inches (18-20 cm). Its skin is protected by a thick, slippery mucus layer.
Social Behavior: Highly active, diurnal swimmer that roams the tank continuously during the day. It is generally peaceful toward non-related fish but territorial towards other wrasses. It buries itself completely in the sand at night or when threatened.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Protogynous hermaphrodite. Juveniles and females are primarily pinkish-red with a distinctive green stripe running horizontally. Terminal males display a brilliant mix of green, pink, and blue markings, along with a prominent black spot on the dorsal fin.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: A tank of 100 gallons (400 liters) or larger is required to accommodate its active swimming habits. Provide a deep bed (at least 3 inches / 8 cm) of fine aragonite sand. Do not use crushed coral or coarse gravel, which will damage the fish's skin and snout.
Diet and Feeding: Carnivorous. Feed a varied diet of meaty frozen foods like mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, chopped krill, clams, and high-quality pellets. They will actively hunt for tiny copepods and flatworms in the aquarium.
Water Quality: Because it comes from deeper waters, it is sensitive to heat; keep the temperature stable between 22-26°C (71-79°F). Maintain a pH of 8.1-8.4, salinity at 1.020-1.025, and high dissolved oxygen through good filtration.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Peaceful with larger tankmates like tangs, angelfish, and larger gobies. It is not reef safe with ornamental invertebrates, as it will eat small crabs, shrimp, and feather dusters, but it is harmless to corals.
Aquarium Breeding: Breeding in home aquaria is not reported. Like most wrasses, they are broadcast spawners that release their eggs into open water. The larval stage is pelagic and very difficult to raise in captivity.
Risks and Diseases: Exceptional jumping ability makes a tight-fitting aquarium cover mandatory. Skin infections can occur if the sand bed is dirty or if the fish is forced to bury in rough substrate. Ensure quarantine before introducing it to the display tank.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Halichoeres bathyphilus is native to the Western Atlantic Ocean, ranging from North Carolina (USA) through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean down to Brazil. It is a deep-reef specialist, typically found at depths of 20 to 150 meters over sandy and rubble areas near deep reefs.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsExtra-Amazon South AmericaNorth America
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Active
- These wrasses are inquisitive, active, and generally peaceful community fish, although they can sometimes exhibit a semi-aggressive streak. They are constantly on the move, investigating crevices in the live rock for tiny morsels of food. While they do not usually bother corals directly, their constant picking behavior might accidentally irritate some sensitive polyps. Overall, they make a lively and entertaining addition to a moderately aggressive marine community tank.
- Diet
- Carnivore
- This species is strictly carnivorous in its dietary habits. Their diet should consist of a variety of meaty foods including frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, and high-quality marine flakes or pellets. In the wild, they naturally prey on small benthic invertebrates found among the rocks. Offering multiple small meals a day helps mimic their natural foraging behavior.
- Life expectancy
- 5-8 years
- As a deep-water species from the western Atlantic, this wrasse requires cool, stable temperatures (ideally between twenty-two and twenty-four degrees Celsius) and dimmed lighting to thrive, showing a life expectancy in the aquarium of between five and eight years under such conditions. Its longevity is strongly influenced by the management of decompression stress at the time of capture and the thermal stability of the tank. To ensure a peaceful and long life, the presence of a thick, clean sandy area and not excessively bright lighting are key elements to avoid anxious behaviors that could compromise its health.
- Adult size
- 7.5 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 7.5 cm. The FishBase species summary source reports a maximum adult measurement of 23 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). The taxonomic record consulted is Halichoeres bathyphilus (live-2026-07-30); male or unsexed record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- Solitary
- Many species within this genus are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning dominant females can transition into males if needed. It is usually best to keep them singly or as a single male with multiple females if the tank is exceptionally large. Keeping two males in the same tank will almost certainly result in constant territorial disputes and fighting. Observing their intricate social structure and potential color changes during transition is fascinating.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- Due to their highly active nature and high metabolisms, they require frequent feedings throughout the day. It is highly recommended to feed them at least two to three times daily. Providing smaller, more frequent meals is much better than offering one large meal. This feeding schedule ensures they maintain a healthy body weight and vibrant coloration.
- Bioload
- The bioload produced by this fish is considered moderate. They are very active swimmers and consume a significant amount of food, producing a fair amount of waste in return. Regular water changes and strong biological filtration are necessary to maintain pristine water quality. Protein skimmers are highly recommended for marine setups housing these energetic wrasses.
- Flow
- Moderate
- These fish thrive in aquariums with moderate to strong water flow throughout the tank. Good circulation closely mimics their natural reef environments and keeps them active and healthy. Powerheads should be strategically placed to create varied flow patterns mimicking ocean currents. However, ensure there are still some lower flow resting areas within the rockwork for them to retreat to.
- Jump risk
- Yes
- Wrasses in this genus are notorious jumpers, especially when startled, chased, or newly introduced to an aquarium. A tight-fitting lid or a fine mesh screen is absolutely mandatory to keep them safe. Many aquarists have unfortunately lost these beautiful fish due to open-top tanks or small gaps in the canopy. The jump risk remains exceptionally high throughout their entire lifespan in captivity.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding these wrasses in a home aquarium is extremely rare and very difficult to achieve. They are pelagic spawners, naturally releasing their eggs and sperm directly into the water column. The resulting larvae require specialized microscopic foods and undergo a long, vulnerable planktonic stage. Therefore, almost all specimens available in the aquarium trade are wild-caught rather than captive-bred.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Peaceful
- The Halichoeres bathyphilus wrasses are generally peaceful but can be aggressive towards smaller invertebrates like ornamental shrimp and feather dusters. They are considered reef safe with caution, as they will hunt for small prey. They usually coexist well with other similarly sized, semi-aggressive fish but might bully much smaller, more docile species. It is crucial not to keep them with large, aggressive predators that might see them as a snack.
- Tank level
- Middle/Bottom
- They are highly active fish that will enthusiastically utilize all levels of the aquarium. However, they spend a significant amount of time hovering near the rockwork and sandy substrate actively looking for food. They require a deep sand bed of at least two to three inches to bury themselves in at night or when frightened. During the daytime, they will constantly patrol the middle and bottom sections of the tank.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 3.5 ± 0.5 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.01, b = 3.09
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (13 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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