Orange Lined Wrasse - Halichoeres hartzfeldii

Orange Lined Wrasse (Halichoeres hartzfeldii)

The Orange Lined Wrasse is a colourful and active marine wrasse recognised for its elongated body, warm orange to reddish striping and attractive contrasting markings. Constantly on the move and naturally inquisitive, it spends much of the day searching rockwork and substrate for small prey. Best suited to mature marine aquariums with a fine sandbed, secure lid and carefully selected tankmates, this species combines striking colouration with useful natural foraging behaviour.

Common Name:
Orange Lined Wrasse, Orange Line Wrasse

Scientific Name (Latin):
Halichoeres hartzfeldii

Maximum Size:
Approximately 12–14 cm

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Orange Lined Wrasse is associated with tropical Indo-Pacific reef environments, including coral reefs, rocky reef areas and sandy zones adjacent to established reef structure.

It spends much of the day actively foraging around rockwork and substrate before burying itself in sand at night or when frightened.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Nitrate: Low and stable
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm

Temperament:
Peaceful to Semi-Aggressive

The Orange Lined Wrasse is generally peaceful towards unrelated marine fish but may become territorial towards similar wrasses, particularly as it matures.

It is best kept with peaceful to moderately assertive tankmates and should be given sufficient space to establish its own feeding and resting areas.

Diet:
Carnivore / Micro-predator

The Orange Lined Wrasse naturally feeds on small crustaceans, worms and other reef-associated invertebrates.

In the aquarium, offer a varied diet including frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped prawn, krill and quality marine pellets.

Several smaller meals throughout the day are beneficial due to its active swimming and foraging behaviour.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 200 litres

A mature aquarium with plenty of open swimming room, established rockwork and a suitable fine sandbed is recommended.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Orange Lined Wrasse is an energetic daytime swimmer that spends much of its time exploring rockwork and searching the substrate for food.

It requires a soft, fine sandbed deep enough to bury itself completely for sleeping and when startled.

Provide open swimming areas alongside caves, overhangs and secure reef structure.

A tightly fitted aquarium lid is essential, as Halichoeres wrasses are accomplished jumpers.

Reef Safe:
With Caution

The Orange Lined Wrasse is generally safe with healthy corals and does not normally feed on coral tissue.

However, small ornamental crustaceans, worms and other tiny mobile invertebrates may be hunted, particularly as the fish matures.

For this reason, it is best considered reef safe with caution.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Provide a mature marine aquarium with a fine sandbed, stable water chemistry and plenty of secure rockwork.

The sandbed should be free from sharp or coarse material that could damage the fish while it buries.

Newly introduced specimens may remain hidden beneath the sand for extended periods while acclimating.

A secure lid is essential because this species may jump suddenly when startled.

Avoid keeping it with very aggressive wrasses or highly territorial fish that may prevent it from feeding comfortably.

Regular varied feeding and good water quality will help maintain healthy body condition and strong colouration.

Suitable for:
Intermediate

Availability:
Availability can vary depending on season, collection area and supplier.

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.