Yellow and Purple Wrasse (Halichoeres Leucoxanthus)
Key Facts
Also Known As: Four Spot Wrasse
Compatibility, Behavior, and Environment
The Yellow and Purple Wrasse (Halichoeres leucoxanthus) is a lively, mid-sized Halichoeres wrasse that brings soft yellow tones and constant foraging activity to established marine aquariums. Hailing from Sri Lanka, it typically behaves as a peaceful community fish. As with many Halichoeres wrasses, the Yellow and Purple is reef safe, it will leave corals and clams alone but may prey on worms, and other tiny invertebrates it discovers while hunting through rockwork and sand.
Note that this species naturally enjoys burrowing itself in the sand (particularly at night or when stressed), so a deep sandbed is essential to their survival and stress management.
Aquarium Requirements
The Yellow and Purple Wrasse thrives in a mature, well-oxygenated aquarium with ample live rock for grazing and crucially, a soft sandy substrate for burying at night or when startled. A 50-gallon tank or larger is often recommended so this active swimmer has room to cruise open water while still enjoying intricate rock structures with caves, ledges, and rubble zones. A tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is essential, as this species can jump when spooked or during quick chases. Aquascaping should allow both open “runways” and sheltered pockets, and sand depth should be sufficient to let the fish fully bury itself to feel secure.
Specifications
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Approximate Size: 1.75-3"
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Diet: Carnivore; small crustaceans, worms, and other microfauna, plus mysis, chopped marine meats, and high-quality marine pellets
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Origin: Western Indian Ocean reef and sand-rubble habitats
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Care Level: Intermediate (requires mature tank, sandbed, and consistent feeding)
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Reef Safe: Yes
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Temperament: Peaceful
Pairs well with
Yellow and Purple Wrasse (Halichoeres Leucoxanthus)
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Shipping Information
- Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday. Orders will be shipped overnight on the soonest possible shipping day, unless you request to hold the order for up to one business day.
- Your order will ship same-day if placed before 12:30 PM PST on a shipping day.
- Orders placed after 12:30 PM PST will ship on the next shipping day.
- Stay tuned to our Announcement Bar (black bar at the top of every page) for important shipping announcements...we may reach our max limit of orders we can ship on Mondays.
- If it is very hot, very cold, or if you live in a rural area, ship to a UPS Access Point to save your livestock from hours of exposure to the elements. Click here to see how.
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FAQ’s
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.
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Contact Us
Send us an email at sales@reefbeauties.com and we will get back to you shortly.
We do not offer phone calls. We handle our inquiries with timely emails to ensure a qualified and high-quality response, to have all conversations on record, and to avoid miscommunications that can occur over the phone.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.