Comet Wrasse - Labropsis xanthonota

Comet Wrasse (Labropsis xanthonota)

The Comet Wrasse, Labropsis xanthonota, is a rare and unusual Indo-Pacific tubelip wrasse with striking juvenile striping and colourful adult patterning. Also known as the Yellowback Tubelip Wrasse, Yellow-back Tubelip or Wedge-tailed Wrasse, this species is attractive but highly specialised. Juveniles may show cleaner behaviour, while adults naturally feed on coral polyps, making it unsuitable for most standard reef aquariums and best reserved for expert marine keepers with specialist systems.

Common Name:
Comet Wrasse, Yellowback Tubelip Wrasse, Yellow-back Tubelip, Yellowback Wrasse, Wedge-tailed Wrasse.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Labropsis xanthonota

Maximum Size:
Up to around 13 cm.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Indo-Pacific reef regions, with records from East Africa across to Samoa and the Great Barrier Reef. Naturally found in clear outer lagoon reefs and seaward reef areas, especially coral-rich habitats. It is an uncommon species that may form small groups as juveniles or females, while adult males are often more solitary.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025

Temperament:
Generally peaceful but specialist and potentially shy. It is not usually aggressive towards unrelated fish, but may be outcompeted by fast or boisterous tank mates. It should not be housed with aggressive wrasses, large dottybacks, triggers, puffers or dominant damsels.

Diet:
Specialist coral-polyp feeder as an adult. Juveniles may act as cleaner fish, but adults naturally feed on live coral polyps. In aquariums, some individuals may accept finely chopped marine foods, mysis, enriched brineshrimp, clam, mussel, crustacean flesh or small marine pellets, but prepared-food acceptance should not be assumed. Long-term care requires careful feeding observation and an understanding of its natural corallivorous diet.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 300 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger mature specialist systems preferred. Provide stable water quality, mature rockwork, secure shelter and open swimming space.

Behaviour & Activity:
An active reef-associated wrasse that moves around coral structure and rockwork while searching for food. Juveniles can behave differently from adults, sometimes acting as cleaners, while mature fish become more focused on coral-polyp feeding. It may use crevices and sheltered reef structure for security. A tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is recommended, as wrasses can jump when startled.

Reef Safe:
Not Reef Safe
This species naturally feeds on coral polyps as an adult and should be expected to damage live corals, especially stony corals. It is not suitable for standard coral reef aquariums unless the keeper is intentionally maintaining a specialist system where coral-feeding behaviour is planned for and accepted.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Expert-only species due to its specialised adult diet and poor suitability for ordinary aquarium feeding. Do not purchase as a general reef-safe wrasse or cleaner fish, as juvenile cleaning behaviour does not represent the adult diet. Avoid thin, newly imported or non-feeding specimens. Best reserved for expert aquarists, public-aquarium-style displays or carefully managed specialist marine systems. Similar tubelip wrasses can be difficult to identify, so supplier confirmation is useful.

Suitable for:
Expert only

Availability:
Rare or occasional in trade

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.