Christmas Wrasse (Halichoeres Claudia)

The Green Christmas Wrasse is a vibrant, peaceful marine fish featuring a jade-green base accented by intricate red and orange horizontal stripes. Known for its active swimming and natural pest-control abilities, it makes an excellent and functional addition to reef aquariums by hunting nuisance flatworms and pyramidellid snails.

This active species requires a tank with a fine sand bed of at least 5 to 7.6 cm to burrow into for sleeping and safety. To support its high metabolism, provide multiple daily feedings of quality meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and pellets alongside a securely covered aquarium.

Key Features

Highlights

• Scientific Name: Halichoeres claudia
• Primary Common Name: Green Christmas Wrasse
• Other Common Names: Claudia's Wrasse, Ornamental Wrasse
• Origin: Indo-Pacific (Widespread)
• Max Size: 5–7 inches (12–18 cm)
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Carnivore/Micropredator (Needs multiple daily feedings)
• Minimum Tank Size: 75+ Gallons
• Reef Compatibility: Safe with corals; may eat small decorative invertebrates.

Materials & care

• Diet: This wrasse is a dedicated carnivore/micropredator with a very high metabolism. It requires multiple small feedings (2-3 times) per day of varied, meaty foods, including enriched mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, copepods, and high-quality pellets. Its constant hunting activity means it picks at micro-invertebrates throughout the day.
• Substrate Requirement: A minimum of a 2–3 inch deep bed of fine, soft sand is mandatory. This fish must burrow into the sand to sleep at night or when startled. Without appropriate substrate, it will become severely stressed and potentially injure itself.
• Reef Compatibility: It is safe with corals. Its primary benefit is that it actively hunts and consumes nuisance pests like Planaria flatworms and Pyramidellid snails (which parasitize Tridacna clams). However, it will also consume small ornamental invertebrates like tiny snails and small bristle worms. Large, clean shrimp (e.g., Cleaner Shrimp) are usually safe.
• Temperament: It is peaceful and compatible with most community fish. It should not be housed with overly aggressive species that will outcompete it for food or cause it stress, as it is a shy burrower.
• Tank Environment: A tight-fitting lid is absolutely essential, as this species is an excellent jumper. The tank should be well-established with plenty of live rock for hunting and hiding spots.

Compatibility

Peaceful and community-friendly with other non-aggressive marine fish and corals. Avoid pairing with overly aggressive tankmates that may outcompete it for food, and note that it may feed on small ornamental snails and bristle worms.

Important Fulfillment Information

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Shipping Cost Disclosure

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