Blackear Wrasse

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Halichoeres poeyi is widely distributed in the tropical Western Atlantic Ocean, from southern Florida (USA) and the Gulf of Mexico through the entire Caribbean Sea to the coasts of southern Brazil. It predominantly inhabits seagrass beds (such as Thalassia testudinum), shallow rocky zones covered in macroalgae, and coral reefs, from 1 to 15 meters deep.

Taxonomy and Morphology: It belongs to the family Labridae, genus Halichoeres. It presents an elongated and laterally compressed body, with a rounded head and fleshy lips. It reaches a maximum adult size of about 15-20 centimeters. The anterior teeth are well-developed and protruding, useful for capturing small crustaceans and mollusks hidden in the substrate. The caudal fin has a slightly rounded shape.

Social Behavior: It is a diurnal, solitary species and an untiring swimmer. It spends the day inspecting the bottom and algae leaves in search of food. At sunset, it shelters under the sand where it spends the night completely buried. Adult males are territorial and can manifest aggression towards other wrasses of similar shape or coloration introduced into their space.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The background coloration is green or yellowish-green, with pinkish or orange shades on the scales that create a reticulated effect. The main diagnostic feature is a prominent black or dark blue spot located immediately behind the eye, resembling an ear (hence the common name). Dominant males have much more intense colors and pinkish stripes on the head.

Aquarium Setup: It requires a marine aquarium of at least 200 liters for a single specimen. It is essential to provide a layer of fine, non-sharp sand at least 6-8 cm thick to allow the fish to burrow during the night or if frightened. The live rocks must be positioned stably directly on the glass bottom to prevent collapses caused by digging.

Diet and Feeding: It is an opportunistic carnivore. It feeds on a wide range of small benthic invertebrates. In the aquarium, it readily consumes frozen foods such as mysis, brine shrimp, krill, chopped shrimp, and mollusks. It also accepts high-quality pellets and flakes. It is useful for eliminating small pest organisms such as flatworms, parasitic snails, and small bristle worms.

Water Quality: It requires stable standard marine parameters. Temperature: 23-27°C, pH: 8.1-8.4, specific gravity: 1.020-1.025, KH: 8-12. It is important to maintain efficient filtration and an excellent level of water oxygenation. An excessive accumulation of nitrates or phosphates can cause stress and predispose it to bacterial skin infections.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: It is reef-safe with corals, but poses a threat to small mobile ornamental invertebrates. It easily preys on small shrimp (such as Lysmata or Thor), small crabs and hermit crabs, and small starfish. It is compatible with active, robust fish like tangs, large damselfishes, dwarf angelfishes, and peaceful triggerfishes.

Aquarium Breeding: Protogynous hermaphrodite. Breeding in captivity is undocumented and considered nearly impossible in home aquariums due to the prolonged pelagic planktonic larval phase, which requires specific microscopic live foods and controlled water flows without mechanical filtration.

Risks and Diseases: The risk of skin lesions and subsequent bacterial infections is high if the substrate consists of coarse or sharp gravel. Being a jumper, the tank must be strictly covered. It can contract skin parasites (such as Oodinium or Cryptocaryon) if subjected to temperature drops during water changes.