Slippery Dick

About

The slippery dick (Halichoeres bivittatus) is one of the most commonly encountered wrasses along the Western Atlantic coastline, ranging from the eastern United States down through the Caribbean and into Brazilian coastal waters. It's a fish you'll notice quickly on the reef. Active, curious, and almost constantly in motion as it picks over rubble and sandy patches in search of small invertebrates. In the wild, slippery dicks are often seen darting between coral heads or following larger fish to snatch any prey that gets disturbed in the commotion. Color-wise, they go through some dramatic changes across life stages, with juveniles and females showing a different pattern than the terminal-phase males, which develop more vivid greens and pinks along their flanks. Like most wrasses, they're active daytime hunters that bury themselves in sand to sleep at night, so a deep sandy substrate is something to keep in mind for a home aquarium. They're also known to make short work of small ornamental invertebrates, which limits compatibility in reef setups. Classed as intermediate care, they're not a nightmare to keep, but they reward hobbyists who understand wrasse behavior and have the tank space to match their energy.