Red-breasted Wrasse Care Guide
Cheilinus fasciatus is an Indo-Pacific wrasse with a bold red breast band on a dark body; a sand-sifter that preys on hard-shelled invertebrates.
Overview
The red-breasted wrasse (Cheilinus fasciatus) is a wrasse of the family Labridae native to the Indo-Pacific. Adults show a distinctive red band across the front of the body on a darker background. The species reaches a maximum standard length of about 40 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Labridae
- Genus: Cheilinus
- Scientific name: Cheilinus fasciatus
Habitat
The range extends across the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and the East African coast to Micronesia, Samoa and Tonga, north to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and south to Queensland, Australia. It lives in lagoons and seaward reefs over mixed rubble, coral and sand at depths of about 4 to 60 m, becoming rarer below 40 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 800 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Maximum size: about 40 cm
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
Diet
Cheilinus fasciatus is carnivorous and feeds mainly on crustaceans, sea urchins, hard-shelled invertebrates and molluscs, which it crushes with strong jaws while sifting the substrate.
Compatibility
It is a semi-aggressive, diurnal wrasse occupying the middle water column. Robust tank mates such as tangs, sturdy wrasses and cardinalfish suit it, while aggressive triggerfish should be avoided.
Reef compatibility
Because it sifts sand and eats hard-shelled invertebrates, Cheilinus fasciatus is not safe with ornamental shrimp, snails or other mobile invertebrates and is generally unsuitable for small reef systems. Specific gravity 1.024-1.026, carbonate hardness 8-12 dKH.
Conservation status
The IUCN Red List assesses Cheilinus fasciatus as Least Concern. It appears in local fisheries and the aquarium trade.