{"product_id":"new-guinea-wrasse","title":"New Guinea Wrasse | Anampses neoguinaicus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe New Guinea Wrasse is a striking black-and-white tamarin wrasse, but it is an expert-only fish that is notoriously difficult to keep. We recommend it only for experienced keepers with large, mature systems and an abundant natural food supply. Adults reach around 20 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnampses neoguinaicus is found on coral reefs of the western Pacific, including New Guinea, the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia, where it ranges over rubble and reef flats constantly picking tiny invertebrates from the substrate. It buries in sand to sleep and when frightened. In the aquarium it absolutely requires a large, mature system with an abundance of live rock and a deep, fine sand bed. Without established rock teeming with micro-fauna, this fish will not thrive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAdults are dark above with a clean white lower body, fine spotting and lines, and the chisel-like front teeth typical of the genus. The body is elongate and built for active foraging. A healthy specimen is plump, alert and constantly picking at the substrate; thin, hollow-bellied or listless fish are a serious warning sign in this genus and are very hard to turn around.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is peaceful to semi-aggressive. The New Guinea Wrasse is generally peaceful toward unrelated fish but can be territorial with other wrasses. Its bigger challenge is that it is easily outcompeted for food and easily stressed, so it needs calm, non-greedy tank mates. It is not a fish for busy, aggressive community tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is the crux of keeping this species. It is a carnivore that in the wild feeds constantly on tiny crustaceans and other micro-invertebrates. Success depends on a mature tank with an abundant natural food supply, and on getting the fish eating quickly, ideally with live foods such as live brine or blackworm at first, then frequent feedings of mysis, enriched brine shrimp and finely chopped seafood several times a day. No amount of prepared food will keep it healthy in a tank without rich, established rockwork; many specimens simply starve, which is why it is rated expert-only.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 300 L, with 450 L or larger strongly recommended, and a deep, fine sand bed of at least 5 cm for burrowing. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.023–1.025. Moderate flow and mature, live-rock-rich aquascaping are essential. A tight-fitting lid is a must, as these wrasses are strong jumpers, and abrupt disturbance should be avoided. This is an advanced species best attempted only in a well-established reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in home aquariums is effectively unknown. Like other wrasses they are pelagic spawners with larvae that are extremely difficult to rear. Given the difficulty of even maintaining this species long term, breeding should not be a consideration; the entire focus should be on stable water, a rich food supply 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\u003eAnampses neoguinaicus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNew Guinea Wrasse\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWestern Pacific reefs; New Guinea, Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years (if established successfully)\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\u003e300 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; requires mature live rock plus frequent mysis, live and enriched brine shrimp and chopped seafood\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\u003eLarge, mature reef aquariums kept by experienced aquarists only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe; will not harm corals but grazes heavily on beneficial micro-fauna and may take very small ornamental shrimp\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 calm, non-greedy fish such as clownfish, smaller peaceful tangs, cardinalfish, gobies, firefish and other gentle reef fish that will not outcompete it for food.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with aggressive or fast, greedy feeders that will outcompete it, boisterous large fish, other Anampses or territorial wrasses, and any setup that lacks a deep sand bed and mature live rock.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234145485091,"sku":"BA8046-S","price":55.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234145517859,"sku":"BA8046","price":65.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234145550627,"sku":"BA8046-L","price":75.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/new-guinea-wrasse-43090662424867.webp?v=1790306128","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/new-guinea-wrasse","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}