The Black-backed Wrasse is a moderately-sized wrasse that is striking in its simplicity. The Black-backed Wrasse has an elongated body with dorsal and anal fins that extend almost the entire length of the fish. Towards the rear of both of these fins is a large deep blue eyespot that helps in protecting the fish as a juvenile. They are primarily white in coloration with many vibrant bright blue dots. The top front half of the fish is bluish-black in coloration, which lends to its common name.
The Black-backed Wrasse requires a 120 gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of live rock for hiding and foraging for food. As juveniles, the Black-backed Wrasse may be kept in numbers but may turn aggressive towards each other when fully grown. In the wild the Black-backed Wrasse feeds on benthic invertebrates and may pick at desirable fanworms and ornamental crustaceans in the home aquarium. However, the Black-backed Wrasse will typically not harm sessile invertebrates including soft or stony corals.
The Black-backed Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.