Facts and Information
This large (to twenty inches) and thick-bodied wrasse is one of the many "slingjawed" wrasses named so for the protusible mouth that shoots out half the length of the body to slurp up fish and crustaceans. Small reef fish and crustaceans graze on the algae this dinoflagellate frequents and in turn, builds up in the tissue of the fish. These smaller reef fish are eaten by larger fishes (like large wrasses, groupers, eels and sharks) and the ingested toxin continues to build in the predator`s system. Females and juveniles are either solid brown or brilliant yellow. Males have a grayish white head and a dark, almost black body with flame coloration behind the head and on the side of the body. The Latin species name "insidiator" is Latin for "soldier lying in ambush" relaying this fish`s stealthy nature and ambush predation techniques.
Size - Jumbo
Possible Tankmates - Red Coris (adult), Red Volitan Lionfish, Dogfaced Puffer