Marble / Hort. Wrasse - Halichoeres hortulanus: The Halichoeres hortulanus is commonly known as Marble/ Hort. Wrasse. The Marble/ Hort. Wrasse have the ability to camouflage its body colour as it passes from juvenile stage to an adult. A young can be easily noticed with its aesthetic white body contrasted by large dark blotches. In some cases the younger members of this species have its body stripped with alternating rows of black and white bands that adds to its beauty. The dorsal fin of juvenile Marble/ Hort. Wrasse has yellow fins with dark edges. These are commonly observed at the bottom of surge channels and deep sandy holes. A typical adult Marble/ Hort. Wrasse can be recognized with a white body with a black spot between each scale. This gives an amazing checkerboard pattern. Hence most of the aquarist would love to have an adult Marble/ Hort. Wrasse as it adds to the appeal of the tank. An adult Marble/ Hort. Wrasse fish has green coloured head marked with brilliant pink-orange stripes. Two yellow coloured spots are noted on its body. One is in the middle of dorsal fin and the other on its back under the fourth and fifth dorsal fin spines. Lagoons and seaward reefs are the favorite habitat of an adult Marble/ Hort. Wrasse. They are solitary fish, found in clear water surrounding exposed reefs.

The Marble/ Hort. Wrasse is a moderately hardy and medium maintenance fish. The tank set up should be large with plenty of water and light and fine substrate for the fish to sleep. The Marble/ Hort. Wrasse are a peace loving member and cooperate with tank mates. However territorial disputes are bound to occur. These active species have a tendency to jump from tank. So to be on the safer side, it is always advisable to cover the tank properly.

Maximum Size: The Marble/ Hort. Wrasse can grow up to 11 inches.

General Size Specifications: The small sized Marble/ Hort. Wrasse is generally available in 1 to 2 inch, the medium ones 3 to 4 inches and the larger variety 5 to 6 inches.

Minimum Tank Size: The tank should have a capacity of at least 80 gallons with quality water. (SG 1.020 - 1.025, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Temp. 72 - 78° F)

Habitat: Range: The Marble/ Hort. Wrasse are usually found in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific, South-east Asia and Micronesia, south to Australia, north to Japan and east to the Tuamoto Islands

Feeding and Diet: The Marble/ Hort. Wrasse fish is basically carnivorous and likes to feed on mollusks, crustaceans, live feeder, fiddler crabs, small fish and grass shrimp.