Bell's Flasher Wrasse

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Western Central Pacific: Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. Found in deep lagoons among dense algal beds at depths of 18 to 31 meters.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the family Labridae. Grows to a maximum of 6.5 cm. Males feature elongate dorsal and caudal fin lobes.

Social Behavior: Peaceful and active. Dominant males form harems of females. Spends the day swimming in the middle water column searching for food.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Males display brilliant orange-red body colors with green and purple iridescent bands. Females are plain orange.

Aquarium Setup: Minimum 200 liters. Needs live rock with caves to hide in during the night. Prefers moderate water currents.

Diet and Feeding: Carnivore. Offer frozen mysis, brine shrimp, cyclops, and marine pellets. Feed multiple small portions daily.

Water Quality: Keep temperature at 22-27°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025 SG. Standard reef parameters with robust filtration are required.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Peaceful. Ideal for community reef tanks. Keep only one male. Can be housed with a group of females.

Aquarium Breeding: Broadcast pelagic spawner. Spawning occurs at dusk in the water column. Captive breeding is extremely difficult and rarely documented.

Risks and Diseases: High jumping risk; a tight lid or screen cover is mandatory. Susceptible to stress-induced diseases if harassed by tankmates.