Hardwicke Wrasse - Thalassoma hardwicke: The Thalassoma Hardwicke is also known as Hardwicke Wrasse , Sixbar Wrasse or Bluehead Wrasse. The Hardwicke Wrasse fish has a pale or metallic green body. Sometimes, this fish has an attractive pearl body, which makes it a unique chromate addition to colourful pet tank. As the name suggests, the Sixbar Wrasse or Hardwicke Wrasse fish has six jet black bands running over its body. Adult fish has pink stripes extending from its eyes. Colour of this fish does not change during different phases in its life cycle. However, a matured Hardwicke Wrasse is not as attractive as a juvenile fish. So, young colourful wrasse is preferred to mature male fish.

The Hardwicke Wrasse fish readily adapts to new environment, if provided with an ideal tank setup. It is not reef compatible and requires lot of light and quality water. Tank should have live rock for this small sized fish, to hide when intimidated by predators. As the Hardwicke Wrasse fish has the habit of burying itself under sand bed, substrate of algae has to be provided in the aquarium. Preferred tank set up is marine with gravels or sand. This aggressive oviparous fish is comfortable with moderately aggressive tank mates. The Hardwicke Wrasse fish should be the last to be introduced to tank, as they pick up territorial dispute. The Hardwicke Wrasse does not attack the corals. The fish tank has to be properly covered, to avoid them jumping out of the tank.

Maximum Size: The Hardwicke Wrasse fish can easily grow to a maximum size of 8 inches.

General Size Specifications: The small sized Hardwicke Wrasse fish are usually 1.5to 3 inches; the medium ones 3 to 4 inches and the larger 4 to 6 inches.

Minimum Tank Size: The desired tank capacity is at least 75 gallon. Quality of water has to be maintained. (72-78ºF; s g 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4)

Habitat: Range: The Hardwicke Wrasse fish is found in small groups in shallow lagoons near Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, East Africa Tuamoto islands and Austral islands.

Feeding and Diet: This carnivorous wrasse fish feeds on benthic planktonic, crustaceans, small fishes, mantis shrimp, bristleworms, motile invertebrates, and worms.