Blackear Wrasse

About

The blackear wrasse (Halichoeres poeyi) is a mid-sized Atlantic species ranging from southern Florida and the Bahamas all the way down to São Paulo, Brazil. In the wild it gravitates toward clear, shallow seagrass beds rather than the reefs you might expect, which gives it a personality shaped more by open-water opportunism than by the nooks-and-crannies lifestyle of many reef wrasses. Its common name comes from the dark marking behind the eye that serves as a quick identification clue, and like most halichoeres wrasses it goes through distinct color phases as it matures. This species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning females can transition to males. Something to keep in mind if you're planning a group, since a harem setup with one dominant male tends to work best. Personality-wise, the blackear wrasse is generally tolerant of unrelated tankmates but can be a real problem for other wrasses and similar-looking fish, so mixing it with close relatives is risky. An 80-gallon or larger system with plenty of open sand bed for sleeping and foraging will suit it well. Intermediate experience is recommended. Not because the fish is fragile, but because managing its territorial streak takes some planning.