Stigmatic wrasse
Halichoeres stigmaticus
An active and inquisitive wrasse native to the Persian Gulf, showcasing a distinct dark flank spot. It spends days hunting micro-crustaceans and buries in sand at night.
Température de l’eau
22 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
8.1 - 8.4
Type d'eau
Marin
Niveau dans le bac
Fond et milieu
Taille adulte
12 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 250 L
Groupe minimal
>= 1
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat:
This species is native to the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Arabian Sea. It inhabits shallow coastal lagoons and areas rich in coral rubble, sand patches, and seagrasses at depths of 1 to 15 meters.
Taxonomy and Morphology:
Belongs to the Labridae family. Features an elongated, fusiform body with a terminal mouth containing small canine-like teeth. Reaches about 12-14 cm in maximum length, using its pectoral fins for precise swimming.
Social Behavior:
An active, diurnal, and peaceful swimmer. It constantly inspects the sandy substrate for small micro-crustaceans and worms. At night, it quickly buries itself in the fine sand to sleep and hide from predators.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism:
Coloration is grayish-green with thin longitudinal pink, yellow, or orange lines. Displays a distinct dark spot on its flanks. Dominant adult males are much more vibrantly colored than females and juveniles.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup:
Requires a tank of at least 200-250 liters. A layer of fine, soft sand at least 5-8 cm deep is absolutely critical for the fish to bury itself for sleeping.
Diet and Feeding:
Carnivorous. In the aquarium, feed high-quality frozen foods like mysis, brine shrimp, chopped krill, and small pieces of shellfish. Feed 2-3 times daily.
Water Quality:
Maintain stable water parameters: temperature 23-28 °C, pH 8.1-8.4, and specific gravity 1.020-1.025. Efficient filtration with good oxygenation is essential.
Compatibility and Cohabitation:
Compatible with corals and similar-sized or larger fish. It is not reef safe with small invertebrates like Sexy Shrimp and small snails, which are easily preyed upon.
Aquarium Breeding:
Breeding is not documented in home aquariums. In nature, they are pelagic spawners, releasing eggs and sperm into the open water column during twilight hours.
Risks and Diseases:
The primary risk is inadequate substrate: coarse or sharp sand damages the fish's skin during burrowing. The tank must be equipped with a tight lid.
Origine et répartition géographiques
This species is native to the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Arabian Sea. It inhabits shallow coastal lagoons and areas rich in coral rubble, sand patches, and seagrasses at depths of 1 to 15 meters.
Origine
Océans tropicaux et récifsAsie du Sud et du Sud-Est
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Peaceful
- The U-spot wrasse is generally peaceful, inquisitive, and highly active during the day. They spend hours meticulously inspecting the substrate and live rock for tiny morsels. Their outgoing personality and constant movement make them a captivating centerpiece in a peaceful community tank.
- Régime alimentaire
- Carnivore
- This species requires a varied, meat-based diet to stay healthy and vibrant. Feed them a mix of enriched mysis shrimp, chopped seafood, and high-quality marine carnivore pellets. They will also continuously hunt for small copepods and amphipods among the live rock.
- Espérance de vie
- 5-8 years
- Taille adulte
- 12 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Solitary
- It is best to house this species singly or as a single male alongside one or more females. Housing multiple males together will invariably lead to intense aggression and territorial disputes. Harems can be successful if the aquarium is large enough to provide adequate space for all individuals.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- Feed this active fish two to three times daily to support its energetic lifestyle. Regular, small feedings closely replicate its natural constant foraging behavior on the reef. Adequate feeding helps prevent them from harassing small beneficial invertebrates in the tank.
- Charge biologique
- Medium to High
- The U-spot wrasse adds a moderate bioload to the aquarium, similar to others in its genus. Effective mechanical filtration combined with a well-maintained protein skimmer is highly recommended. Routine water testing and changes will ensure the water quality remains pristine.
- Courant
- Strong
- A moderate to strong water flow is highly preferred, replicating the dynamic ocean currents of their natural habitat. Good flow ensures suspended detritus is removed and provides a highly oxygenated environment. They are adept swimmers that enjoy riding the currents across the aquarium.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- They are notorious jumpers and will quickly exploit any open gaps at the top of the aquarium. A securely fitted lid, ideally made of clear mesh to allow light penetration, is strictly required. Even minor disturbances or sudden lighting changes can trigger a leaping response.
- Reproduction
- Not bred in captivity
- Breeding the U-spot wrasse in a home aquarium is highly unlikely. They are pelagic spawners that release their eggs and sperm into the open water column. The resulting microscopic larvae require specialized live plankton diets that are notoriously difficult to cultivate.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Peaceful
- It is a peaceful reef dweller that generally leaves corals alone, making it an excellent candidate for reef tanks. However, caution is advised as large adults may occasionally prey on very small ornamental crustaceans. It pairs well with a variety of other non-aggressive marine fish.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Middle/Bottom
- They are active primarily in the middle and lower levels of the aquarium. A deep, soft sand bed (at least 2-3 inches) is vital, as they sleep buried in the sand and retreat there when threatened. During the day, they weave extensively in and out of the rockwork hunting for food.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3,5 ± 0,5 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.00955, b = 3.11
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
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