{"product_id":"half-and-half-wrasse","title":"Half And Half Wrasse | Hemigymnus melapterus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Half And Half Wrasse, also known as the Blackeye Thicklip, is a striking sand-sifting wrasse with a crisp two-tone body: pale at the front and dark at the rear. It is important to understand before purchase that this is a very large, demanding species — adults can reach 50 cm or more, and it is realistically suited only to enormous fish-only systems or public aquaria. Juveniles are appealing, but they grow quickly and outgrow almost every home tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species ranges widely across the Indo-Pacific on reef flats, lagoons and sandy slopes, where it cruises constantly, taking mouthfuls of sand and sifting them for buried invertebrates. It needs a large open sand bed to express this natural behaviour, along with substantial rockwork for shelter. In captivity it will constantly rework the substrate and can bury or smother corals near the sand in its endless search for food.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eJuveniles are boldly patterned, often with a dark body and bright markings, while adults develop the distinctive white front half and dark rear half with thick, fleshy lips that give the \"thicklip\" name. The body is heavy and powerful, and adults are impressive but genuinely huge. Healthy specimens are alert, actively sifting sand and free of cloudy eyes, sores or a pinched belly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is peaceful to semi-aggressive; the main issue is size rather than aggression. As it grows it needs enormous swimming room and will eat small invertebrates and small fish. It suits very large fish-only communities with tangs, large angels, triggers of similar temperament and other robust fish. It is not appropriate for the average reef or community aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a carnivore with a big appetite. It naturally eats crustaceans, molluscs, worms and other benthic invertebrates. Offer generous, frequent feedings — three to four times daily for growing fish — of frozen mysis, prawn, squid, clam, mussel, marine fish flesh and hard-shelled foods. Strong filtration is essential to cope with the heavy feeding this species demands.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBe realistic: this fish needs a very large aquarium, with a minimum of around 2000 L and considerably more for a full-grown adult. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Provide a deep open sand bed, large rock structures and powerful filtration with excellent water movement. A secure lid is important, as the fish is a jumper. Because of its size, feeding load and sand-sifting habits, it is best considered an expert-only, large-system fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding is not achieved in home aquariums. Like other wrasses it is a protogynous hermaphrodite with pelagic spawning and delicate planktonic larvae. Given its adult size, captive breeding is entirely impractical outside major public facilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHemigymnus melapterus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHalf And Half Wrasse (Blackeye Thicklip, Half-and-half Thicklip)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific reef flats, lagoons and sandy slopes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50 cm (occasionally larger)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10+ years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful to semi-aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExpert\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2000 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3000 L or larger \/ public aquarium\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; meaty and hard-shelled foods fed several times daily\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\u003eVery large fish-only systems and public aquaria only\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 and disturbs corals near sand)\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 in a very large system include tangs, large angelfish, robust wrasses, triggerfish of similar temperament and other big, confident fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with small ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails and other invertebrates, small fish that may be eaten, delicate corals near the sand bed, and any tank that is simply too small for its adult size.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234146337059,"sku":null,"price":79.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234146369827,"sku":"AA3618","price":89.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55234146402595,"sku":null,"price":99.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-40cm)","offer_id":55351948738851,"sku":null,"price":109.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Half_Half_Wrasse_Hemigymnus_melapterus_54832a57-b7b0-4302-a4cc-29bececbf0e8.jpg?v=1781681625","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/half-and-half-wrasse","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}