Product Description
The Half-and-half Wrasse (*Hemigymnus melapterus), also known as the Blackedge Thicklip Wrasse, is a striking Indo-Pacific reef fish known for its distinct color change as it matures, going from bicolored juveniles (white front, dark back) to greenish adults with blue/pink head markings, and it sifts sand for small invertebrates using its thick lips. They get very large (up to 3 ft), need huge tanks, are solitary, and are better suited for public aquariums than most home setups due to their size and feeding behavior.
Key Characteristics
Appearance: Juveniles are half white/light, half black/dark with yellow tail; adults are greenish with pink/blue head patterns, thick lips, and dark rear body.
Size: Can reach impressive sizes, up to 3 feet (90 cm), making them challenging for home aquariums.
Habitat: Found in Indo-Pacific reefs (Red Sea to Samoa), living on reef flats, lagoons, and seaward reefs with sand/rubble.
Behavior: Solitary, benthic feeders, they pick up mouthfuls of sand to find small crustaceans, mollusks, and worms, spitting out the sand and creating cloud effects.
Aquarium Care (Difficult):
Tank: Very large (1000L/250+ gallons minimum) with open swimming space, rock crevices for sleeping, tight lid (they jump).
Diet: Meaty foods, live shrimp, marine flesh; needs varied diet.
Temperament: Semi-aggressive, territorial, may eat small invertebrates; best in fish-only tanks.
Other Names
Blackeye Thicklip Wrasse
Blackedge Thicklip Wrasse
Barred Thicklip Wrasse
