Care
The Ring Wrasse is known from coral reefs and rocky substrates, to depths of 30m (131ft). Juveniles are usually solitary, but adults are often observed feeding in groups on crustaceans and tiny fishes. This elongate wrasse is one of 4 currently known species of
Hologymnosus, and although all are hardy, beautiful fish, they do attain a very large adult size. Due to this and their extremely active nature, they require a voluminous aquarium. These fish feed mainly on small, hard-shelled prey including crustaceans and molluscs, so it is a species that should be added to the reef tank with some caution. Although it should not trouble corals, it will feed on a variety of invertebrates (see Reef Aquarium Compatibility section). The tank should be mature and furnished with plenty of living rock to provide feeding opportunities, shady hiding places and visual barriers. There should be a deep sand bed of around 3" (7.5cm) or so, in order that the wrasse may bury itself at night or if startled. Keep either a single specimen, or, if the tank is large enough, a good sized group of 5 or 6 individuals (introduced simultaneously, when young and of the same size). Tankmates must be chosen with care due to the large size attained by these wrasse. Young Ring Wrasses rarely cause problems in a community type set-up, but as they grow, larger adults will prey on small passive fish, e.g. flasher wrasses, fairy wrasses, and firefish, so combinations such as these are best avoided. Powerful filtration and circulation with a high level of oxygenation are a must, as are tight fitting coverslides; these fish are expert jumpers. All male Ring Wrasses are the result of a sex change; these fish are protogynous sequential hermaphrodites and there are three primary phases, their colour and size depending on whether they are terminal phase (TP) males a.k.a "supermales", initial phase (IP) males, or females. All juveniles start out as females. IP males and females have the ability to change into TP males and this switch includes a dramatic change of size and coloration. Once transformed from IP male or female to TP male, the change is permanent. It should be noted that in the aquarium, TP males are particularly territorial. The colour of these fish also depends on age, mood, and geographical location. Juvenile fish sometimes display a thick horizontal dark brown bar along the flanks, closely resembling juveniles of the Blue Blanquillo (
Malacathus latovittatus), and other times this horizontal bar fades to brown or yellow, revealing a series of 17-19 thin black vertical bars along the flanks. The caudal fin is also slightly rounded in juveniles. Adult females are a muted black; TP males are deeper bodied with green flanks (sometimes shading to blue-green ventrally) with numerous bluish red bars, often with a pale yellowish bar on body above the origin of anal fin, and the head is light purplish with a few green to blue-green bands radiating from each eye and onto the snout. The caudal fin is emarginate in adult fish. Interestingly, the Indian Ocean & Red Sea TP male form sports a central white band, whereas the Pacific Ocean variant displays a pale peduncular area when in breeding dress. May also be seen on sale as Narrow-banded Rainbowfish, Ringwrasse, or Ringed Wrasse.
Feeding
Carnivorous. Will readily accept most meaty frozen foods such as Mysis shrimp, krill, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, finely chopped prawns/cockle/mussel etc. Feed small amounts 2 or 3 times per day.
Breeding
This species has not been bred in the home aquarium.
