Wrasse ID?

[betareef]

I am thinking this is a relative of the Christmas, melanurus wrasses.

In this article https://reefs.com/red-green-halichoeres-wrasses-photographic-guide/ there are many pictures but none exactly like him. The black spots along the top seem to be missing from all photos I have found.

They come from South East Queensland area, Australia. Apologies for the pictures, as he is still a bit nervous and won't swim at the tank front much yet. Eating mysis shrimp well and digging holes though.

 

[Slocke]

@i cant think
@Tcook

 

[betareef]

I kept searching and I found this one I think. Close, but without the black spots - but the text says "Adults are more greenish, with black markings on the rear of the back, indistinct broad oblique bands and fine oblique white stripes on the lower sides."

https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1255

Pseudolabrus guentheri​

 

[JohnnyReef13]

I am thinking this is a relative of the Christmas, melanurus wrasses.

In this article https://reefs.com/red-green-halichoeres-wrasses-photographic-guide/ there are many pictures but none exactly like him. The black spots along the top seem to be missing from all photos I have found.

They come from South East Queensland area, Australia. Apologies for the pictures, as he is still a bit nervous and won't swim at the tank front much yet. Eating mysis shrimp well and digging holes though.

It's a pretty one! I'd assume it was the one you threaded on.

 

[betareef]

It's a pretty one! I'd assume it was the one you threaded on.

The colours are more subtle than some, but yes, a nice fish.

 

[Slocke]

I kept searching and I found this one I think. Close, but without the black spots - but the text says "Adults are more greenish, with black markings on the rear of the back, indistinct broad oblique bands and fine oblique white stripes on the lower sides."

https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1255

Pseudolabrus guentheri​

Darn I knew it wasn’t one of the common genera with that face shape but the guide I found didn’t have that species
https://scuba.spanglers.com/marine-life/australia/wrasses?so=100

 

[JohnnyReef13]

The colours are more subtle than some, but yes, a nice fish.

I'd check some websites and search through Reef-Safe or Not Reef-Safe

 

[betareef]

Darn I knew it wasn’t one of the common genera with that face shape but the guide I found didn’t have that species
https://scuba.spanglers.com/marine-life/australia/wrasses?so=100

Took some finding. I have been looking from yesterday, even before I post this ID request.

 

[betareef]

I'd check some websites and search through Reef-Safe or Not Reef-Safe

My experience so far. He attacked the base of a couple of leathers at first, but quickly stopped, so I assume there were some little critters there that he was after. He has not touched the corralimorphs, acans, star polyps that are in there.

He ate some small hermits I had collected locally - no probs I can get more. I have some little glass shrimp in the tank, and quite a few have survived - a week in. I think he prefers to be lazy and wait till I give hime some mysis or chopped shrimp.

He is a digger, and has hollowed out quite a nest by flapping his body, and moving rubble with his mouth. Every now and then I see some bits fly out as he cleans up the fall-in.

 

[betareef]

Thought I'd mention, he is going to get a bit big for the tank he is in eventually. Also, surprisingly, there's a local marine shop that sells them for $65.

 

[Tcook]

I kept searching and I found this one I think. Close, but without the black spots - but the text says "Adults are more greenish, with black markings on the rear of the back, indistinct broad oblique bands and fine oblique white stripes on the lower sides."

https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1255

Pseudolabrus guentheri​

I think you got it. That was giving me a headache with all the possible transition colors and changes. The green in its tail too.

 

[betareef]

I think you got it. That was giving me a headache with all the possible transition colors and changes. The green in its tail too.

Appreciate the effort. Took me quite a bit of seaching, and still I just got lucky I think.

 

[Tcook]

Well the second pair of negrosensis died at the lfs. These really do poorly with shipping stress. Both sets came from Fiji. Will try again in 2 weeks. Ended up getting this girl so not a total loss.

I’ve also changed professions from a bryopsis farmer to aiptasia farmer.