{"product_id":"black-eared-wrasse","title":"Black Eared Wrasse | Halichoeres melasmapomus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Black Eared Wrasse (also called the Earmuff or Cheekspot Wrasse) is an active, striking wrasse with a distinctive dark spot behind the eye. It is always on the move, hunting across rock and sand, and adds constant colour and activity to a robust reef or fish-only system. Keep a tight-fitting lid, as wrasse are accomplished jumpers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, the Black Eared Wrasse is associated with clear outer reef slopes and rubble zones of the Indo-Pacific, often at moderate depth. It forages actively over the substrate for small invertebrates and dives into the sand to sleep. Replicating this environment means providing mature live rock for hunting, open sand for foraging and burying, and secure aquascaping. A soft, fine sand bed lets the fish bury naturally and settle in.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Black Eared Wrasse has an elongated, active body, red to greenish tones and the characteristic dark blotch edged with colour behind the eye. It reaches around 14 cm, so it needs room to cruise. Colour is strongest in a healthy, well-fed fish. Healthy specimens are alert, active, well-filled through the body and interested in food, without cloudy eyes, pinched bellies or damaged fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as peaceful to mildly assertive. It is a good community wrasse but an efficient hunter of small mobile invertebrates. Suitable companions include clownfish, tangs, rabbitfish, angels, chromis and other peaceful to semi-aggressive reef fish. It is considered reef safe with caution: it will not harm corals but may eat small ornamental shrimp, bristleworms, small snails and similar invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed as a carnivore. Offer a rotation of frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped prawn and other meaty marine foods, plus quality marine pellets once accepted. Small feeds once or twice daily suit its active metabolism. Most individuals feed readily and quickly become confident, though new arrivals may prefer small frozen foods first. Ongoing hunting across the rockwork supplements prepared feeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor long-term success, provide a minimum aquarium size of 380 L, with 450 L or larger recommended for this active swimmer. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Moderate to strong flow suits it. Lighting can be standard reef lighting. Provide mature live rock and a soft, fine sand bed a few centimetres deep for burying. Strong filtration, protein skimming and regular water changes of 10–20% are recommended. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as this wrasse will jump.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in the home aquarium is uncommon and not normally expected. Like many wrasses, Halichoeres species are protogynous hermaphrodites and pelagic spawners, releasing eggs into the water column. The delicate larvae require specialised planktonic rearing beyond normal home aquarium keeping. For most hobbyists the focus should be on long-term health, correct feeding and low stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHalichoeres melasmapomus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack Eared Wrasse (Earmuff \/ Cheekspot Wrasse)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific outer reef slopes and rubble zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 14 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful to mildly assertive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e380 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; meaty frozen foods and marine pellets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef and marine community aquariums with a sand bed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe with caution (may eat small invertebrates)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, tangs, rabbitfish, angels, chromis, cardinalfish and other peaceful to semi-aggressive reef fish of similar size.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with prized small ornamental shrimp and small snails it may hunt, very aggressive fish that will harass it, and open-top tanks without a secure lid.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234144010531,"sku":"AA3634-S","price":300.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234144043299,"sku":"AA3634","price":345.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234144076067,"sku":"AA3634-L","price":395.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562728898851,"sku":"AA3634-S-IMP","price":300.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562728931619,"sku":"AA3634-M-IMP","price":345.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562728964387,"sku":"AA3634-L-IMP","price":395.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/black-eared-wrasse-43090658885923.webp?v=1790306129","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/black-eared-wrasse","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}