{"product_id":"checkerboard-wrasse","title":"Checkerboard Wrasse | Halichoeres hortulanus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Checkerboard Wrasse is a large, active and hardy wrasse with a bold black-and-white checkered body and a yellow-marked head. It is always on the move, hunting across rock and sand, and makes a striking, personable centrepiece for 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 Checkerboard Wrasse is associated with coral-rich reefs, reef flats and sandy lagoons of the Indo-Pacific. 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 generous swimming space. A soft sand bed lets the fish bury naturally and settle in.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eJuveniles are white with black blocks and orange saddles; adults develop the distinctive green-and-white checkerboard pattern with yellow head markings. It reaches up to around 27 cm, so its adult size and swimming needs must be planned for. Colour is strongest in a healthy, active fish. Healthy specimens are alert, active, well-filled through the body and quick to feed, without cloudy eyes, pinched bellies or damaged fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as semi-aggressive and increasingly bold with age. It generally mixes well in a robust community but is an efficient hunter of small mobile invertebrates. Suitable companions include tangs, rabbitfish, angels, larger wrasses, clownfish and other confident reef fish. It is considered reef safe with caution: it will not harm corals but will eat ornamental shrimp, small crabs, snails, worms and, as it grows, small fish, so it is best in a fish-only or robust reef without prized small 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, squid 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. Ongoing hunting across the rockwork supplements prepared foods and keeps this busy fish occupied.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor long-term success, provide a minimum aquarium size of 450 L, with 600 L or larger recommended for this active, larger wrasse. 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 with delicate planktonic larvae requiring specialised 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 hortulanus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCheckerboard Wrasse\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific coral reefs, reef flats and sandy lagoons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 27 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–10 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive\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\u003e450 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600 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\u003eFish-only and robust reef systems 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 (eats 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 tangs, rabbitfish, angels, larger wrasses, clownfish and other confident reef fish of similar size.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with ornamental shrimp, small crabs, snails and other mobile invertebrates, very small fish it may eat as it grows, 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":55234119958819,"sku":"AA3120-S-AU","price":49.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234119991587,"sku":"AA3120","price":59.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234120024355,"sku":"AA3120-L-AU","price":69.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-27cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351918625059,"sku":"AA3120-XL-AU","price":79.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562748690723,"sku":"AA3120-S-IMP","price":49.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562748723491,"sku":"AA3120-M-IMP","price":59.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562748756259,"sku":"AA3120-L-IMP","price":69.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-27cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562748789027,"sku":"AA3120-XL-IMP","price":79.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/checkerboard-wrasse-43090659344675.webp?v=1790305588","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/checkerboard-wrasse","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}