Snooty Wrasse – Cheilinus oxycephalus – Medium

The Snooty Wrasse (Cheilinus oxycephalus) is an excellent community fish and is highly variable in coloration. They are usually reddish-brown with white spots but the body color may be more brownish or greenish in some fish. In all color variations, there is a black spot on the front of the dorsal fin. This is one of the most common Cheilinus wrasses.

The wrasses from the Cheilinus and Oxycheilinus genera are generally hardy, cryptic fish whose appearance can vary greatly between individuals of the same species. They can also change color depending on their mood and surroundings. Most of these wrasses have a mottled coloration with some spots and stripes and the differences between individuals can be minute.

These wrasses will get along with most other fish (with the exception of very small fish) but will prey on inverts like worms, starfish, snails, urchins, shrimp and crabs. They do not usually bother corals however and can be kept in some reef aquariums. In the home aquarium a diet of frozen foods such as shrimp, squid, and clam should be mixed with prepared foods such as flakes and pellets.