New Guinea Wrasse Juv/Female

Description

New Guinea Wrasse Juv/Female, Anampses neoguinaicus, also go by the name Black Backed Wrasse, China Wrasse or Moon Wrasse. Like all members of the Anampses genus, males and females display different colour morphs.

Males and females have pearly white bodies that beautifully display neat rows of vibrant blue dots. As the name suggests, these elegant beauties are black along their dorsal, from their eye upwards. New Guinea Wrasse have three eyespots on each side. One is above the gill and the other two are at the tip of the dorsal and anal fin, directly opposite each other. Pink and blue highlights on the tail and anal fin distinguishes the male wrasse from the females.

Anampses wrasse are collectively known as Tamarins. They are identifiable by: lacking scales on their head, smooth cheeks (smooth preopercular margin), a complete lateral line and a pair of broad, incisiform teeth.

New Guinea Wrasse Juv/Female, Anampses neoguinaicus, Ecology:

New Guinea Wrasse Juv/Female range from: Australia, Fiji and New Caledonia in the Western Pacific. They live in the shallow areas of coral reefs, such as crests and upper reef slopes. The intricate structures on the reef help the fish avoid predation. Failing that, this Tamarin Wrasse will also quickly disappear by burying themselves in the sediment.

New Guinea Wrasse Juv/Female have extensive diets. They are able to capture speedy prey, as well as being able to handle soft and shelled animals. They will hunt worms and small crustaceans such as: copepod, isopod, amphipods, small shrimp and crab. When these Wrasse find food, they signal to the rest of their group that there is something to eat, by making curious clicking noises.

New Guinea Wrasse live in social groups with one dominant male to a few or more females. These wrasse are protogynous hermaphrodites. Which means when the dominant male perishes, the largest female in the group will turn male and take its place as boss of the harem. As a result, all juvenile New Guinea Wrasse are immature females.

Black Backed Wrasse, China or Moon Wrasse in the Aquarium:

It is important to copy the natural environment by providing plenty of nooks and crannies. There should also be a good sand bed for the New Guinea Wrasse Juv/Female to hide and sleep in. Hobbyists should get a jump guard to stop any unfortunate losses.

New Guinea Wrasse Juv/Female do best when fed a varied diet. They will accept enriched frozen mysis shrimp and enriched frozen brine shrimp. They will also devour live foods, such as copepods and amphipods, that can be cultivated in attached refugium. Over time they will accept high-quality pellet or flake. We adapt all our wrasse to aquarium life before they leave us. We focus on their health, and most are eating a good quality flake food and/or pellet, such as JBL Maris, before being offered for sale.

The Fish pictured here are representative only and the livestock you receive may vary in pattern, coloration, and shape.