Lightning Wrasse

Halichoeres cyanocephalus. The Lightning Wrasse is also referred to as the Yellowcheek Wrasse, and is common among the reefs of the Caribbean Ocean. These wrasse have a blue body with a vibrant yellow band covering the back of the fish. As a juvenile, their coloration is purple with a yellow stripe covering the back. As the fish matures, the purple coloration fades to a brilliant blue.

These wrasse are not reef safe, but make a great addition to a larger marine fish only aquarium. A 125-gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of live rock for hiding, and a substrate of at least 2 to 3 inches where these fish can bury themselves, makes an ideal home for the Lightning Wrasse. They are great jumpers, and a tight fitting canopy is a must. When small, these wrasse act as a cleaner fish, setting up a cleaning station where larger fish stop by for the Lightning Wrasse to pick parasites from their body.

The Lightning Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.