{"product_id":"mystery-wrasse","title":"Mystery Wrasse | Pseudocheilinus ocellatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Mystery Wrasse is one of the most sought-after small wrasses in the hobby, prized for its purple-to-yellow body, fine vertical barring and striking eye markings. Active, hardy and full of character, it is a superb reef fish for the keeper who can manage its bold streak. Adults reach around 11 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePseudocheilinus ocellatus is found on deeper coral reefs of the western Pacific, particularly around the Marshall Islands and other Pacific atolls, where it forages through caves, ledges and rubble for small invertebrates. In the aquarium it needs plenty of live rock arranged with caves and crevices for shelter, sleeping and constant foraging. It does not bury in sand but relies heavily on shaded rockwork for security.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis wrasse carries a rich purple to lavender body that shades into yellow around the head and tail, overlaid with fine vertical bars and a distinctive dark ocellus (eye spot) near the tail. The face is marked with green and pink lines typical of the genus. Healthy specimens are brightly coloured, full-bodied and constantly on the move, with clear eyes and intact fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is semi-aggressive. The Mystery Wrasse is bold for its size and can harass shy, passive fish such as small gobies, dartfish and newly added wrasse, especially in tighter quarters. It is best added later to a community and kept as the only small wrasse unless the tank is large. It mixes well with robust reef fish such as tangs, clownfish, larger dwarf angels and rabbitfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species is a carnivore that hunts small invertebrates in the wild. Offer a varied diet of mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood and quality marine pellets and flakes. Feed once or twice daily. A mature tank with a healthy pod and worm population provides valuable natural grazing and helps keep this active fish in good weight.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 280 L, with 300 L or larger recommended for long-term housing and to reduce territorial pressure. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.023–1.025. Moderate reef flow and abundant rockwork with caves suit it best. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as this wrasse is a determined jumper. Stable water, mature rock and secure hiding places are the keys to success.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in home aquariums is rare and not commercially established. Like other wrasses, spawning is pelagic and the larvae are very difficult to rear, requiring specialist systems and tiny live foods. For normal keeping, the aim should be stable water, suitable tank mates and steady feeding rather than active breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePseudocheilinus ocellatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMystery Wrasse\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWestern Pacific reefs, especially the Marshall Islands\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years\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\u003e280 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; mysis, enriched brine shrimp, chopped seafood, marine pellets and flakes\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\u003e1.023–1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef aquariums and fish-only systems with robust tank mates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe with caution; safe with corals but may pick at very small ornamental shrimp and other tiny invertebrates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include tangs, clownfish, rabbitfish, larger dwarf angelfish, cardinalfish, larger gobies and other robust reef fish confident enough to hold their own. It also helps control unwanted pests such as pyramidellid snails and small bristleworms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with very shy, passive fish, small timid gobies and dartfish, other small wrasse added after it, tiny ornamental shrimp, and multiple Mystery Wrasses in the same tank unless very large.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234119565603,"sku":"AA3246-S","price":430.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234119598371,"sku":"AA3246","price":495.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55234119631139,"sku":"AA3246-L","price":570.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/mystery-wrasse-43090662162723.webp?v=1790305590","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/mystery-wrasse","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}