Silver Belly Wrasse

About this fish

Silver Belly Wrasse (Halichoeres trispilus) is a marine wrasse prized for its active swimming and foraging behavior in the aquarium. In practical use, it helps keep the tank busy by constantly hunting for meaty foods among the rockwork, making it a good choice for established setups with plenty of live rock to graze and hide in.

Features:

• Active, reef-rock forager that spends much of its time searching through the aquascape
• Carnivorous diet that typically accepts a variety of meaty prepared foods when properly transitioned
• Generally best kept with compatible tankmates to reduce stress and chasing
• Often benefits from mature rockwork and plenty of cover to feel secure
• Can be a mix of calm and opportunistic around small tankmates; plan stocking accordingly
• Jumpy behavior is common in wrasses, so an aquarium cover or tight lid is strongly recommended

Specifications:

• Scientific name: Halichoeres trispilus
• Care level: Moderate
• Temperament: Generally peaceful but can show aggression toward similar-sized fish; may nip if stressed
• Diet: Carnivorous; meaty foods such as small crustaceans and marine-based carnivore diets (often also accepts quality frozen or prepared meaty foods)
• Adult size: Typically about 10–15 cm (roughly 4–6 in)
• Temperature: About 22–26°C (72–79°F)
• Salinity: About 1.020–1.026 specific gravity
• pH: About 8.1–8.4
• Placement: Mid to bottom/rockwork areas; provide abundant live rock for foraging and cover