Psychedelic Wrasse (Anampses chrysocephalus)

Psychedelic Wrasse Anampses chrysocephalus
Name	Psychedelic Wrasse
Name Lat.	Anampses chrysocephalus
Family	Wrasses
Family lat.	Labridae
Order	Wrasses & Relatives
Order lat.	Labriformes
Origin	Central Pacific, Hawaii
Habitat	Seaward reefs
Diet	Carnivore
pH	8,1-8,4
Hardness	8-10 °KH
Behavior	Semi-aggressive
Keeping	Pair, harem
Reef Compatible	Yes
Care Level	Difficult
Life Span	N/A
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	15 cm
Temperature	22-28 °C
Salinity	33-36 ‰
Aquarium	~ 450 l
US Units
Size	6"
Temperature	72-82 °F
Salinity	1.020-1.025 sg
Aquarium	~ 120 gal

Distribution and habitat

The Anampses chrysocephalus is found exclusively (endemically) near Hawaii and the Midway Islands in the Pacific Ocean. They live there in shallow coastal waters with coral reefs, and sandy bottoms.

Maintenance

They need a well structured aquarium with plenty of swimming space and a reef structure (hiding and covering possibilities) with living stones, which act like a biological filter and whose growth they can graze on, as well as sand areas, from fine, at least 20 cm deep sand (no coral rubble!)

Only calcareous, heavy metal-free sands, gravels, stones or sea sand may be used. Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. Lighting must be appropriate for the species' day-night rhythm

Salinity: 33-36 ‰	pH value: 8.1-8.4
Carbonate hardness: 8-10 °KH	Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l
phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l	nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l

For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention must be paid to constantly good water quality.

Diet

They feed on small crustaceans and mollusks. The change of food is not always successful without problems. The food supply for these slow eaters should consist of a combination of plankton, mysis, shrimp, artemia and cyclops, plus chopped clam, squid and crab meat or a vitamin-enriched frozen food mix. High-quality flake and granulated food is also often accepted after a period of acclimation.

It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. This reduces intra-species aggression and protects lower animals in the aquarium

Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

The young fish, mostly females, are peaceful among themselves and can be kept without problems. With the sex change to male the aggression increases. Only one male should be kept with one or more females. Towards other fish they behave peacefully.

Sex dimorphism

They are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning males develop from functional females when needed. Juveniles and adult females are dark brown with white spots and have a red caudal fin. Males are light brown with blue spots and have a bright orange head with blue spots and lines.

Reproduction and breeding

There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.

Important

Overnight and when threatened, they often bury themselves in the sandy substrate. Care should be taken when keeping them together with tubeworms, snails and crayfish, as these may be considered food

As reef dwellers, they should be kept together with corals and not in a fish-only aquarium.

If different species are kept together, care should be taken to ensure that the fish match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements and social behavior, and that the setup meets the needs of all species kept together. New fish to be introduced must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BAENSCH & DEBELIUS (2006): Meerwasser Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF