Timor Wrasse

The Timor Wrasse is an underrated gem in the marine aquarium hobby that deserves far more attention than it receives. Males display an attractive combination of blue-green and pink-rose coloration with delicate horizontal markings and a warm pinkish belly. Females are more subdued but still attractively colored with a green-yellow body and lighter underside.

This species is one of the hardiest and most beginner-friendly wrasses available, rivaling the popular Melanurus Wrasse in its ease of care and adaptability. It eagerly accepts all prepared foods, adapts quickly to new environments, and is remarkably disease-resistant. The Timor Wrasse is also an excellent pest controller, actively hunting flatworms, bristleworms, pyramidellid snails, and other nuisance organisms in the reef aquarium.

Completely reef-safe and peaceful, the Timor Wrasse integrates beautifully into community reef systems of all types. It is an active but not overly aggressive swimmer that patrols the rockwork and sand bed with purposeful efficiency. Like other Halichoeres wrasses, it sleeps buried in the sand at night, requiring a sand substrate of at least two inches. A tight-fitting lid is necessary, as it can jump when startled. This is an outstanding value species that offers beauty, hardiness, and functionality at an affordable price.