{"product_id":"half-half-wrasse-hemigymnus-melapterus","title":"Half \u0026 Half Wrasse (Hemigymnus Melapterus)","description":"\u003cp style=\"margin:1em 0\"\u003eThe Half \u0026amp; Half Wrasse (Hemigymnus melapterus), also known as the Blackedge Thicklip or Banner Wrasse, is a striking marine species recognized for its dramatic bicolored pattern in its juvenile stage and impressive size. As it matures, it develops deep green tones highlighted by distinctive pink and blue markings along its prominent thick lips and head.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:1em 0\"\u003eOriginating from the Indo-Pacific, this active carnivore thrives in large fish-only systems with a deep, fine-sand substrate for burrowing and foraging. Its natural sand-sifting behavior and robust build make it an engaging centerpiece for experienced marine aquarists maintaining substantial setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:1.25em 0 0.5em\"\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"pu-table\" style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border:0;box-shadow:none;outline:none;background:none;table-layout:fixed;margin:0 0 1em\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0.75em 0.4em 0;opacity:0.65;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003eHemigymnus melapterus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0.75em 0.4em 0;opacity:0.65;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003eHalf \u0026amp; Half Wrasse\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0.75em 0.4em 0;opacity:0.65;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003eOther Common Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003eBlackedge Thicklip, Blackeye Thicklip, Banner Wrasse\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0.75em 0.4em 0;opacity:0.65;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003eIndo-Pacific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0.75em 0.4em 0;opacity:0.65;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003eMax Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003e38–50 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0.75em 0.4em 0;opacity:0.65;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003ePeaceful to Semi-Aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0.75em 0.4em 0;opacity:0.65;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003eCarnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0.75em 0.4em 0;opacity:0.65;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003e946 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0.75em 0.4em 0;opacity:0.65;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003eReef Compatibility\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0;vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003eNo (Not Reef Safe)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0.75em 0.4em 0;opacity:0.65;vertical-align:top\"\u003eSubstrate Preference\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0.4em 0;vertical-align:top\"\u003eDeep Fine Sand (10.2–15.2 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:1.25em 0 0.5em\"\u003eHighlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:1em 0\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScientific Name: Hemigymnus melapterus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrimary Common Name: Half \u0026amp; Half Wrasse\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther Common Names: Blackedge Thicklip, Blackeye Thicklip, Banner Wrasse\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrigin: Indo-Pacific (Widespread)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMax Size: 15-20 inches (38-50 cm) in home aquaria\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperament: Peaceful to Semi-Aggressive (Highly Active Sand-Sifter)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiet: Carnivore (Must be fed frequently)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinimum Tank Size: 250+ Gallons (Expert Only)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReef Compatibility: No (Will eat invertebrates)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:1.25em 0 0.5em\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:1em 0\"\u003eBest suited for Fish-Only-With-Live-Rock (FOWLR) aquariums. It should be kept as the sole specimen of its species alongside robust, active tankmates too large to be viewed as prey. It is not compatible with corals, small benthic invertebrates, shrimp, crabs, or snails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"pu-table\" style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border:0;box-shadow:none;outline:none;background:none;table-layout:fixed;margin:0\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:1.25em 0 0.5em\"\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e.pu-faq[open]\u003esummary .pu-faq-c{transform:rotate(180deg)}\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"pu-table\" style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:0;border:0;box-shadow:none;outline:none;background:none;table-layout:fixed;margin:0 0 1em\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003e\u003cdetails class=\"pu-faq\" style=\"padding:0.45em 0\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:10px;list-style:none\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the Half \u0026amp; Half Wrasse reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.75\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" class=\"pu-faq-c\" style=\"width:1em;height:1em;flex:none;opacity:0.6;transition:transform 0.15s\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M6 9l6 6l6 -6\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:0.4em 0 0\"\u003eNo, it is not reef safe because it actively preys on cleanup crew members and ornamental invertebrates such as crabs, shrimp, snails, and fan worms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003e\u003cdetails class=\"pu-faq\" style=\"padding:0.45em 0\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:10px;list-style:none\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat aquarium size is required for this species?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.75\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" class=\"pu-faq-c\" style=\"width:1em;height:1em;flex:none;opacity:0.6;transition:transform 0.15s\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M6 9l6 6l6 -6\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:0.4em 0 0\"\u003eDue to its potential adult size and high bioload, a minimum aquarium size of 946 liters (250 gallons) is required.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.16);border-bottom:1px solid color-mix(in srgb,currentColor 12%,transparent)\"\u003e\u003cdetails class=\"pu-faq\" style=\"padding:0.45em 0\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:10px;list-style:none\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the Half \u0026amp; Half Wrasse eat?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.75\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" class=\"pu-faq-c\" style=\"width:1em;height:1em;flex:none;opacity:0.6;transition:transform 0.15s\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M6 9l6 6l6 -6\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:0.4em 0 0\"\u003eIt is a dedicated carnivore requiring a varied meaty diet, including chopped clams, mussels, marine shrimp, krill, and frozen preparations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd style=\"border:0;padding:0\"\u003e\u003cdetails class=\"pu-faq\" style=\"padding:0.45em 0\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:10px;list-style:none\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat type of substrate is recommended?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.75\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" class=\"pu-faq-c\" style=\"width:1em;height:1em;flex:none;opacity:0.6;transition:transform 0.15s\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M6 9l6 6l6 -6\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:0.4em 0 0\"\u003eA deep bed of fine sand measuring at least 10.2 to 15.2 cm is necessary for the wrasse to burrow into when resting or startled.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImportant Fulfillment Information\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFish and corals ship Monday through Thursday. Not all fish are sexed. If so it will specify.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOnce your order ships, you will receive an email with your tracking number. Refunds are always issued for any fish not shipped.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlantedPlus operates as a collective of trusted freshwater and saltwater importers. This policy allows us to prioritize animal welfare while maintaining reliable service for our hobbyists.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping Cost Disclosure\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTo help keep ordering live fish online affordable, Planted Plus subsidizes a portion of shipping costs. Because these costs are incurred regardless of order completion, shipping charges are non-refundable.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Planted Plus","offers":[{"title":"Medium (2.5-4\")","offer_id":67625561882874,"sku":"2310","price":47.55,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/3745\/5610\/files\/Half-Half-Wrasse.webp?v=1790978871","url":"https:\/\/plantedplus.com\/products\/half-half-wrasse-hemigymnus-melapterus","provider":"Planted Plus","version":"1.0","type":"link"}