{"product_id":"slingjaw-wrasse-epibulus-insidiator","title":"Slingjaw Wrasse | Epibulus insidiator","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Slingjaw Wrasse is a large, striking predatory wrasse famed for its incredible protrusible jaw, which shoots forward to almost a third of its head length to snatch small fish and crustaceans from crevices in a fraction of a second. Growing up to 50cm, it is a bold, intelligent centrepiece fish for large, well-stocked systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWidely distributed across the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific, Epibulus insidiator patrols coral and rocky reef slopes and lagoons, using its extendable jaw to ambush small fish and crustaceans hiding in crevices and coral branches.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAdult males are typically dark olive to brown with green-edged scales, a pale to yellow bar along the flank and a grey head marked with a black eye stripe, while females range from plain brown to bright yellow. Juveniles look strikingly different again, often mottled brown and white to mimic drifting debris. The species' signature feature is its highly protrusible, tube-like jaw used to snatch prey, and colours can fade somewhat in aquarium conditions compared to wild specimens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSemi-aggressive and territorial, especially as it matures, the Slingjaw Wrasse does best as the sole individual of its kind in the tank and can be intimidating to smaller or more timid tankmates. It is an active, intelligent predator that will happily eat any fish, shrimp or small crustacean small enough to fit in its jaws.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivorous ambush predator, this wrasse should be fed a varied diet of mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, chopped fish, prawn and other meaty marine foods, twice daily. It usually adapts well from live to frozen and prepared foods once settled in.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRequires a large, mature aquarium of at least 300 litres with plenty of open swimming space combined with rockwork and crevices for security. Stable water parameters are essential: temperature 24-28°C, pH 8.1-8.4 and specific gravity 1.020-1.025, along with a tight-fitting lid as wrasses are capable jumpers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSlingjaw Wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites, beginning life as females with the ability to change into males as they mature and dominate a territory. Pair spawning has been observed in the wild at dusk, but breeding in the home aquarium is rarely attempted and not commercially achieved.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEpibulus insidiator\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlingjaw Wrasse\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific (Red Sea and East Africa to central Pacific)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e50cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-15 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\u003e300L (80 US gal)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450L (120 US gal) or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24-28°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 (marine)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020-1.025 SG\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFOWLR, Large Fish-Only Aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo (will disturb macroalgae and small invertebrates while foraging)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBest paired with other large, robust fish able to hold their own, such as larger tangs, angelfish, larger wrasses, triggerfish and other semi-aggressive to boisterous species in a big enough system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid small fish, shrimp, crabs and other invertebrates that will fit inside its jaws, as well as corals and reef invertebrates that may be disturbed as it forages, making this species unsuitable for reef tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55411439075619,"sku":"AA5010-S","price":120.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55411439108387,"sku":"AA5010-M","price":140.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55411439141155,"sku":"AA5010-L","price":160.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-50cm)","offer_id":55411439173923,"sku":"AA5010-XL","price":185.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/slingjaw-wrasse-epibulus-insidiator","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}