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, though they do not require a sand bed. They may be kept in numbers as juveniles, but may turn aggressive towards each other when fully grown. They should not be kept with invertebrates as they will pick at fanworms, ornamental crustaceans, and tridacnid clams.
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.