Yellowchest Twist Wrasse
(Anampses twistii)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 7″
Color Form: Blue, Purple, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Fiji
Family: Labridae
Swim Level: Middle

The Yellowchest Twist Wrasse from Fiji is a moderately sized wrasse that is beautifully colored. They have an elongated body with a dorsal and anal fin that extends 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 dark blue to purple in coloration with many vibrant bright blue dots. The bottom front half of the fish is bright yellow or gold in coloration which lends to its common name.

The Yellowchest Twist Wrasse requires a 70 gallon or larger aquarium with a sandy bottom into which it will burrow to sleep, or if it is threatened. Do not attempt to keep the Yellowchest Twist Wrasse with a crushed coral or similar substrate as they have a poor survival rate on such substrates. The ideal aquarium will also have plenty of live rock for hiding and foraging for food. 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 Yellowchest Twist Wrasse feeds mostly on shelled invertebrates and worms in the wild. When first introduced into the aquarium, small pieces of cleaned squid or live saltwater feeder shrimp should be used to entice this fish to eat. Also offer a variety of meaty foods including frozen brine and mysis shrimp, chopped mussel and bloodworms.

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Paddlefin Wrasse
(Thalassoma lucasanum)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: No
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 6″
Color Form: Blue, Green, Purple, Red, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Central America
Family: Labridae
Reproduction: Egg Layer
Swim Level: All

The Paddlefin Wrasse is also referred to as the Rainbow or Cortez Rainbow Wrasse. As a juvenile they are mostly black in color with a yellow and pink belly. As they mature into an adult, their coloration brightens into an array of colors. Their body takes on a reddish coloration, and the head area and fins become blue to green in color. Adding to the appeal of the adult fish, is a bright yellow band located just behind the head. These are one of the smaller wrasse within the genus, and make a wonderful addition to a saltwater fish only aquarium.

It should reside in a 50 gallon or larger aquarium with larger, aggressive tank mates, and plenty of rocks for hiding. It will become territorial and harass any new additions to the community, therefore, it should be the last fish added to the community. It may be kept with a mate if the aquarium is 75 gallons or larger. It may eat mantis shrimp and bristleworms. It does not eat corals or live plants.

Its natural diet consists of fish, crustaceans, motile invertebrates, and worms. The diet in the aquarium should include a variety of feeder shrimp, marine flesh, frozen meaty preparations for carnivores, and flaked foods.

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Lightning Wrasse
(Halichoeres cyanocephalus)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: No
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 1′
Color Form: Blue, Purple, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Labridae
Swim Level: All

The Lightning Wrasse is also referred to as the Yellowcheek Wrasse, and is common among the reefs of the Caribbean Ocean. These wrasse have a blue body with a vibrant yellow band covering the back of the fish. As a juvenile, their coloration is purple with a yellow stripe covering the back. As the fish matures, the purple coloration fades to a brilliant blue. These wrasse are not reef safe, but make a great addition to a larger marine fish only aquarium.

A 125-gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of live rock for hiding, and a substrate of at least 2 to 3 inches where these fish can bury themselves, makes an ideal home for the Lightning Wrasse. They are great jumpers, and a tight fitting canopy is a must. When small, these wrasse act as a cleaner fish, setting up a cleaning station where larger fish stop by for the Lightning Wrasse to pick parasites from their body.

Regular feedings should include a variety of prepared and live meaty foods such as feeder shrimps, frozen mysis and brine shrimp and a quality flake food.

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Klunzinger’s Wrasse
(Thalassoma klunzingeri)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 8″
Color Form: Blue, Green, Purple
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Red Sea
Family: Labridae

The Klunzinger’s Wrasse is a beautiful wrasse from the Red Sea that will add both coloration and activity to your marine aquarium. These wrasse can be recognized by their bright green and blue body with striking purple patterns throughout the body and head. The shape of this fish is elongated which aids its movement throughout the reefs in nature.

This hardy fish should reside in a 70-gallon or larger aquarium, with other aggressive tank mates, and plenty of rocks for hiding. It will become territorial and often harass any new additions to the aquarium therefore, it should be one of the last fish added to the tank. This species has been known to eat mantis shrimp and bristleworms as well as other crustaceans, but will normally not eat corals or live plants.

Its natural diet consists of fish, crustaceans, motile invertebrates, and worms. The diet in an aquarium should include a variety of feeder shrimp, marine pellets, frozen meaty preparations for carnivores, and flaked foods.

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Hardwicke Wrasse
(Thalassoma hardwicke)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: No
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 8″
Color Form: Black, Blue, Red, White
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea
Family: Labridae
Reproduction: Egg Layer
Swim Level: All

The Hardwicke Wrasse is also known as the Sixbar Wrasse or Hardwick’s Wrasse. As an adult, it has a pastel blue body with six, vertical dark body stripes and a distinct “daisy” print around the eyes made of a few different pastel colors.

It should reside in a 70 gallon or larger aquarium with larger, aggressive tank mates, and plenty of rocks for hiding. It will become territorial and harass any new additions to the community, therefore, it should be added last to the aquarium. It may be kept with a mate if the aquarium is 125 gallons or larger. It may eat mantis shrimp and bristleworms. It does not eat corals or live plants.

Its natural diet consists of fish, crustaceans, motile invertebrates, and worms. The diet in an aquarium, should include a variety of feeder shrimp, marine flesh, frozen meaty preparations for carnivores, and flaked foods.

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