Wrasse – Earmuff

Earmuff Wrasse Care Tips:

Minimum Tank Size: 80 Gallons

Max Size: Up to 22.5cm (9″)

Diet: Carnivore (Eats pods)

Temperament: Peaceful

Lifespan: Up to 10 years

Scientific Name: Halichoeres Melasmapomus

Other Common Names: Cheekspot Wrasse, Black-eared Wrasse, Ocellated Wrasse

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Approx. Purchase Size: Medium: 3 inches Large: 6 inches

The earmuff wrasse, scientific name Halichoeres Melasmapomus is a peaceful fish. Their minimum tank size is 80 gallons. Earmuff wrasses can grow up to 9” and can live up to 10 years. Earmuff wrasses are carnivores and should be fed frozen meaty foods such as brine or mysis shrimp. Earmuff wrasses are pod eaters and will hunt continuously for small pods found in the aquarium. Earmuff wrasses can be trained to eat frozen foods but will be healthier and happier in a tank where they can hunt live food as well. They should be kept singly, in mated pairs or small herums with one male and multiple females. Keeping multiple of the same species requires adequate space and rockwork. All halichoeres wrasses start as females, if there is multiple kept together and no male is present, the dominant female will often turn into a male. Earmuff wrasses can be kept with other halichoeres/wrasses. Earmuff wrasses are reef safe with caution, they will not bother coral. Halichoeres will not bother invertebrates either except for shrimp and tubeworms/ feather dusters, they may prey upon these invertebrates as they mature. Halichoeres wrasses dive into the sand to sleep at night and will not do well in a tank without sand, the sand bed should be thick enough to completely cover them, atleast 2-3”. During the day they will be swimming throughout the tank. Earmuff wrasses are also referred to as the cheekspot wrasse, the black eared wrasse or the ocellated wrasse. Wrasses are known for jumping and require a tight fighting lid.