{"product_id":"silver_belly_wrasse_halichoeres_leucoxanthus","title":"Silver Belly Wrasse - Halichoeres leucoxanthus","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSilver Belly Wrasse (Halichoeres leucoxanthus)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Silver Belly Wrasse, Halichoeres leucoxanthus, is a bright, active and useful marine wrasse, admired for its vivid yellow upper body, clean white to silver underside and constant foraging behaviour. Also known as the Canarytop Wrasse, White Belly Wrasse or Lemon Meringue Wrasse, this species is a colourful addition to mature reef aquariums and can help hunt small pests within the rockwork and substrate. It is generally peaceful once settled, but should be treated as reef safe with caution due to its appetite for tiny worms, small crustaceans and some ornamental invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSilver Belly Wrasse, Canarytop Wrasse, White Belly Wrasse, Whitebelly Wrasse, Lemon Meringue Wrasse, Silverbelly Wrasse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHalichoeres leucoxanthus\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAround 12 cm, making it a medium-sized Halichoeres wrasse that needs suitable swimming and foraging space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMarine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFound in the Indian Ocean, including the Andaman Sea and surrounding reef regions. In the wild, Silver Belly Wrasse are associated with reef edges, sand patches, rubble areas and mixed reef structure, usually at moderate depths. They are often seen in small groups, moving across the substrate and reef surface while searching for small natural foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTemperature: 24–28°C\u003cbr\u003epH Range: 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003eHardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePeaceful to mildly semi-aggressive. Silver Belly Wrasse are generally manageable in reef aquariums and can be kept with many peaceful to moderately active marine fish. They may become territorial towards very similar wrasses, especially in smaller aquariums, so mixing with other Halichoeres species should be done carefully. Avoid housing with overly aggressive fish that may intimidate them or prevent them from feeding properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCarnivorous micro-predator. In the aquarium, offer a varied diet including frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brineshrimp, cyclops, copepod-based foods, chopped krill, finely chopped meaty marine foods and quality small marine pellets. It may also hunt flatworms, fireworms, small snails, tiny crustaceans and other small pests within the aquarium, although it should not be relied upon as the only pest-control method.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA practical minimum of around 200–300 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for mixed reef communities or if keeping with other wrasses. Provide mature rockwork, open swimming space and a suitable soft sand bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn active daytime wrasse that spends much of its time cruising around the aquarium, inspecting rockwork, sand and rubble for small foods. Like many Halichoeres wrasses, it sleeps buried in the sand and may dive into the substrate when startled. A soft sand bed of suitable depth is strongly recommended, as coarse or sharp substrates can damage the fish when it buries. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as wrasses are well known for jumping when startled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSilver Belly Wrasse are generally considered safe with corals and do not normally nip coral tissue or clam mantles. However, they may eat fan worms, feather dusters, flatworms, tiny snails, small shrimp, small crabs, pods and other natural microfauna. They are best described as reef safe with caution because their behaviour around small mobile invertebrates can vary, especially as they mature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBest kept in a mature, stable marine aquarium with a soft sand bed, secure lid and peaceful tank mates. Avoid bare-bottom systems unless a suitable sand tray or sand area is provided. Newly introduced specimens may bury for several days while adjusting, which is normal behaviour and should not be disturbed. Provide regular feeding, stable water quality and enough rockwork for foraging and security. This species can be useful for natural pest control, but compatibility with tiny ornamental invertebrates should be considered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIntermediate fishkeepers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOccasionally available in the marine aquarium trade \/ Availability can vary depending on size, sex, supplier and import season\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll 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.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":46407593296045,"sku":"AG-102189","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":46407593328813,"sku":"AG-103887","price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":46407593361581,"sku":"AG-103888","price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/Silver_Belly_Wrasse_-_Halichoeres_leucoxanthus.jpg?v=1782244638","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/silver_belly_wrasse_halichoeres_leucoxanthus","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}