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Cabbage Leather: Green Mini - Indo Pacific, Size Small 
Christmas Wrasse
Halichoeres ornatissimus
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
|---|
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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 | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Pest Control |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 55 gallons |
| Max Size | 6 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Christmas Wrasse (Halichoeres ornatissimus) is an active Halichoeres wrasse that hunts through rockwork and along the sand line, helping reduce common pests like small worms and snail-type hitchhikers. Adults show a tight “scribbled” pattern of red/orange markings over a green-to-teal base, giving the fish its holiday-style common name.
What You’ll Observe:
- Cruising the tank in short bursts, stopping to inspect crevices and the sand edge
- Diving into the sand to sleep, then reappearing shortly after the lights come on
- A consistent “patrol route” that shifts between open swimming and close-up foraging
Provide a fine sand bed (about 2–3 inches) and secure rockwork so it can dive in and settle comfortably each night. Offer small meaty foods (like mysis and other frozen blends) and feed consistently so it learns your schedule. With peaceful tankmates and stable parameters, it becomes a visible, day-to-day utility wrasse in a reef.
Is it normal if it disappears into the sand right after introduction?
Yes—many sand-sleeping wrasses spend their first day(s) using the sand as a “reset,” then begin coming out more reliably once they learn the tank’s rhythm.
How much sand does it actually use when sleeping?
Most keepers see the best consistency with a fine, diggable area roughly 2–3 inches deep where the fish can fully dive in.
Will it throw sand onto nearby corals when it dives in or wakes up?
It can kick up sand in its preferred sleeping spot, so leaving a small “clear zone” around that area usually keeps maintenance simple.
Can I keep it with other sand-sleeping wrasses?
Often yes—adding multiple wrasses with plenty of hiding structure and introducing them close together tends to produce the smoothest long-term mix.
Why does its pattern look different from other “Christmas Wrasses” online?
The common name gets used for several similar Halichoeres species, and juveniles/adults can also look noticeably different as they mature.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
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