Mystery Wrasse

About

The Magenta Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus ocellatus) is one of those fish that rewards patient observers. It has a habit of ducking into rockwork and shadowy reef crevices rather than cruising openly around the tank. In the wild across the Pacific Ocean, it lives among coral reefs, hugging the benthos and favoring dimmer, more sheltered sections of the reef structure. That secretive nature carries straight into aquarium life, so expect it to spend a good chunk of time threading through live rock rather than showing off in open water. What you will see is genuinely worth waiting for: a compact, vividly colored wrasse with the characteristic ocellated tail spot that gives it several of its common names, including Mystery Wrasse and Tail Spot Wrasse. It stays relatively small, and its peaceful temperament means it can work well in a community reef setup with other non-aggressive fish. In the wild it picks off small benthic invertebrates, and it maintains that carnivorous appetite in captivity, so a varied meaty diet keeps it in good condition. The intermediate care rating is fair. Not a beginner fish, but nothing that should intimidate a keeper with a few reef tanks under their belt. Given proper hiding spots and stable water, it can live a surprisingly long time.