Anampses caeruleopunctatus – Bluespotted Wrasse
Anampses caeruleopunctatus was officially described by Eduard Rüppel in 1829. The genus name Anampses comes from the Greek meaning “to bend backwards”, which refers to the upward-pointing maxillary teeth and downward-pointing mandibular teeth of Anampses cuvier. The species name caeruleopunctatus is derived from the Latin “caeruleus” (blue) and “punctatus” (dotted), which refers to the blue dots on the fish’s scales.
Their common name is Bluespotted Wrasse or Diamond Wrasse.
Description
With a total maximum length of about 42 centimeters, Anampses caeruleopunctatus is a large fish.
Gender and color change
All Bluespotted Wrasses start life as females. Because they live in a harem there are not many males. When the dominant male of the group dies, one of the females turns into a male (protogynous hermaphroditism). The females’ colors then change accordingly.
The fish can therefore be distinguished by their color. The three stages they can be in are also called the phases.
Phase 1 – Initial phase
In the first stage, the fish is completely female. This is referred to as the initial phase. The color is now reddish brown with iridescent blue dots forming rows along the side, blue lines and dashes on the head, light blue dots on the caudal fin, reddish anal and pelvic fins and a narrow transparent border on the tail.
Stage 2
The fish is now a transitional male. We don’t have a picture of this available yet. In this phase, the female becomes a male. In a group of Bluespotted Wrasses, the group may have one dominant male, several females and one or two transitional males. In the wild, these transitional males can still change back into females.
Phase 3 – Terminal phase
The fish is now completely male. They can’t change back now. Because the fish cannot change back, this is also called the terminal phase.
The color is now dark blue to blue-green with a light green vertical stripe behind the base of the pectoral fin, narrow blue lines on the head, blue lips, a light blue stripe between the eyes and a vertical blue stripe on each scale.
Behavior and Temperament
They form small haremic groups with a dominant male patrolling the territory. This species is generally gentle but can be aggressive towards members of the same sex. They are shy and often hide in the sand when they feel threatened or need to rest.
Biotope
Anampses caeruleopunctatus occurs in the Indo-West Pacific region, including the Red Sea, South Africa, Japan, Australia, and the Pacific islands such as Easter Island. This species is not found in the Hawaiian Islands, where it is replaced by the closely related Anampses cuvier.
This species of fish lives in marine environments, specifically associated with coral and rocky reefs. They are usually found at depths between 3 and 30 meters. The bottom of their habitat is often sand, which is important because these fish burrow into the sand when they feel threatened or need to rest.
Diet
In their natural habitat, Anampses caeruleopunctatus feed mainly on zooplankton. These are small, floating organisms that live in the water column. They also eat organisms that live on the bottom of the sea, such as small crustaceans and worms.
In the aquarium you can feed them with live brine shrimp (artemia) and black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus) and frozen food such as mysis, krill, and enriched brine shrimp. Chopped shellfish and other frozen food are also eaten.
These fish need to be fed several times a day, especially when just introduced to the aquarium. As they become accustomed to their environment and can find food in the aquarium, the frequency of feeding can be reduced.
The Aquarium
Due to the large size of Anampses caeruleopunctatus, a very large aquarium of approximately 5,000 liters is required. The aquarium should also be provided with a deep sand bed. This has two reasons:
Burrowing for Protection: This species of fish has a habit of burrowing into the sand when they feel threatened or need to rest. This burrowing provides them with a safe shelter from predators and other threats.
Nocturnal rest: The Anampses caeruleopunctatus burrows into the sand at night to sleep. This behavior is essential for their peace and well-being, and a deep sand bed allows them to mimic this natural behavior in an aquarium environment.
It is recommended to have a sand bed at least 5 centimeters deep. As the fish grows, the depth should also be increased to about 10 centimeters. The sand should be fine enough to dig in easily, but not so fine that it negatively affects water quality. A substrate with a grain size of 0.5 – 2 mm is ideal
Water parameters
The water may have a temperature of about 23 to 28 degrees Celsius and a salinity of 1,020 to 1,026.
Suitable Tank Mates
Anampses caeruleopunctatus is generally peaceful, but can be aggressive towards members of the same sex. They can be kept with other peaceful fish. They are reef-safe with caution, meaning they can sometimes nibble on corals, especially Tridacna clams and small invertebrates such as shrimp and crabs.
Jumping
Anampses caeruleopunctatus is known for its ability to jump out of the aquarium. This behavior is often a response to stress or fright, and it is a common problem in this species. It is highly recommended to use a lid or covering net to prevent the fish from jumping out of the aquarium. A small night light can help orient the fish in the dark and reduce jumping.
Video
Author
John de Lange
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