Also Known As: Timor Wrasse, Yellow-Tail Tamarin Wrasse Compatibility and BehaviorThe intricate patterning is where the Timor Wrasse (Halichoeres timorensis) earns its keep on looks alone. A green-to-teal base is overlaid with fine yellow-orange horizontal striping, broken lines, and subtle spotting, set against delicate facial markings, and the whole thing tends to intensify as the fish matures into a refined, faintly wild-reef look. It's a busy fish with a job to do, spending its day hunting worms, tiny crustaceans, and pests through the rockwork, which makes it a handy utility wrasse for keeping certain hitchhikers in check. Temperament generally runs peaceful to semi-aggressive, and it usually settles into a calm community of other small to medium, non-boisterous fish without much fuss. It's reef safe with corals, though that same appetite for small crustaceans means a Timor may go after very small ornamental shrimp or micro-inverts, so pair it with sturdier cleanup crew members. Aquarium RequirementsAs with the other sand-diving Halichoeres, substrate comes first: a couple of inches of fine, soft sand is essential, since this wrasse buries itself at night and whenever it's startled, and a bare-bottom or coarse-only tank simply won't work. The other must is a tight-fitting lid, because these are strong jumpers that will find the smallest opening. Get those two right and the rest is easy: a 55 to 75 gallon tank with a long footprint suits individuals in the 1.5 to 2.5 inch range, with open swimming lanes out front and arches, ledges, and shaded caves worked into the rock for foraging and retreat. Moderate, well-distributed flow and solid filtration round out the basics, and a varied diet of mysis, finely chopped seafood, enriched brine, and quality marine pellets keeps them well fed, colored up, and busy doing what they do best. SpecificationsApproximate Size: 1.5–2.5"Diet: Carnivore; mysis, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and quality marine pelletsOrigin: Indo-PacificCare Level: IntermediateReef Safe: YesTemperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressiveMinimum Tank Size: 55 gallonsSpecial Considerations: Requires a couple of inches of fine sand for burrowing and sleeping, so bare-bottom or coarse-substrate tanks aren't suitable; a strong jumper that needs a tight-fitting lid; may prey on very small ornamental shrimp and micro-inverts
