Checkerboard Wrasse
Halichoeres hortulanus
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 2.25 - 3.5" - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $88.99.$46.99Current price is: $46.99. | Email me | |
| Out of Stock | 2.25" or smaller - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $83.99.$43.99Current price is: $43.99. | Email me | |
| Out of Stock | 2.25 - 3.5" - Red X-Mas Halichoeres sp. - Central Pacific | Original price was: $116.99.$61.99Current price is: $61.99. | Email me | |
| Out of Stock | 3.5 - 4.75" - Red X-Mas Halichoeres sp. - Central Pacific | Original price was: $130.99.$68.99Current price is: $68.99. | Email me |
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Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | With Caution |
| Functional Benefit | Pest Control |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 120 gallons |
| Max Size | 12 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Checkerboard Wrasse (Halichoeres hortulanus) is an active Halichoeres wrasse often kept for pest control, spending the day cruising rockwork and sand while hunting small invertebrates. Adults develop a distinct checkered pattern along the body with color that can shift as the fish matures, and the species is native across a wide Indo-Pacific range.
What You’ll Observe:
- Steady, “patrolling” swims along the bottom and midwater as it searches for food
- Quick passes over sand patches, then short stops to inspect crevices and rubble
- A consistent evening routine where it dives into the sand to rest
- Increasing confidence and bolder foraging patterns as it settles into your aquascape
To set this fish up for success, provide a mature tank with open sand (fine, soft substrate) and plenty of rockwork to weave through. A tight-fitting lid helps keep an active wrasse contained, and offering a mix of meaty frozen foods and quality pellets supports strong, steady feeding response.
Why does it “disappear” into the sand for days at a time?
It’s normal for sand-sleeping wrasses to stay buried longer when they’re new or adjusting, then become more regularly visible once they establish a routine.
Will it still help with pests if I feed it well?
Yes—many keepers notice continued hunting behavior between meals, especially along rockwork and sand edges where hitchhikers collect.
Does this wrasse change color as it grows?
Color and pattern can shift with maturity, and like many wrasses it can transition from female phase to male phase over time.
How do I reduce jump-risk during the first week?
Most hobbyists have the best results when the lid is fully secured before introduction and the fish has sand available immediately for nighttime sleeping.
Can it be added to a tank that already has other wrasses?
Introductions tend to go smoother when there is ample rockwork and multiple “paths” through the aquascape so fish can spread out and establish separate routines.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
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