Checkerboard wrasse (Halichoeres hortulanus)

Scientific name: Halichoeres hortulanus Lacep?de, 1801

The Checkerboard wrasse (Halichoeres hortulanus) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F).

Checkerboard wrasse care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Inhabits sand patches of lagoon and seaward reefs to at least 30 m; also on slopes to moderate depths along drop-offs. Juveniles common at the bottom of surge channels. Feeds mainly on hard-shelled prey, including mollusks, crustaceans and sea urchins (9823).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Halichoeres hortulanus
Family: Labridae (Wrasses)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 27.0
Depth range: 1–30 m (3–98 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 30 m, usually 1 - 30 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Sodwana Bay, South Africa and east to the Line, Marquesan and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.7)