Yellowhead Wrasse (Halichoeres garmoti)

The Yellowhead Wrasse, easily recognizable in all color phases, has a golden to yellow head, a black vertical bar behind its pectoral fin, and a blue underside. Juveniles display a yellow body with a turquoise-blue stripe. This species, fascinating for its color changes, is native to the Western Atlantic, from Bermuda and southern Florida to southern Brazil, and is commonly found on both shallow and deep reefs.

A well-filtered, 75-gallon saltwater aquarium with a tight lid is ideal for the Yellowhead Wrasse. The tank should have plenty of live rock for exploration and hiding, a large open substrate area, and open swimming spaces. A 2-3 inch sandy substrate is crucial for the wrasse to burrow into at night or when scared. While peaceful towards other fish, they can be territorial, so it’s best to house only one per tank.

The Yellowhead Wrasse’s natural diet includes benthic invertebrates, and it can help control fireworms and pyramidellid snails in the tank. However, it may also consume desirable invertebrates like fan worms and shrimp. It typically doesn’t harm sessile invertebrates like corals.

Their diet should include a variety of foods like vitamin-enriched frozen mysis and brine shrimp, along with high-quality marine flakes and pellets, fed in small amounts throughout the day.