The earmuff wrasse, Halichoeres xanti, is a species that shines with maturity

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The Kuiter’s leopard wrasse  we filmed in Dave Hayashi’s reef tank was not the only cool labrid we spotted in Chicago a couple weeks ago because this aquarium was also home to an exemplary specimen of the earmuff wrasse, Halichoeres xanti. Like Kuiter’s leopard wrasse the earmuff wrasse has a large noticeable spot right behind its gill plate but it also has one on the top of the caudal peduncle. Together the two spots of H. xanti help to highlight a pink body and yellow dorsal fin which mostly serves to frame the beautiful and elaborate facial markings of this gorgeous but not too big wrasse species. Like Kuiter’s leopard wrasse it is not too often that well-established specimens of earmuff wrasses are seen in home aquariums but we take note of every time we do.


 



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  • http://www.madhatterreef.com/ MadHatter’s Reef

    Nice Fish… Every time it made a turn it showed a different color. I bet she is a hard one to get a photo of.

  • http://www.madhatterreef.com/ MadHatter’s Reef

    Nice Fish… Every time it made a turn it showed a different color. I bet she is a hard one to get a photo of.

  • http://twitter.com/jeffide jeff ide

    how cool..

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TY62P4IMCIOGM5T3WOGV625FII The Jesus

    Beautiful wrasse.  I had to watch the video several times while constantly pausing it to look at all the different corals.  I would love to see that tank.  It looks pretty impressive.  Any link to a full tank video or thread for that tank?