Broomtail Wrasse Care Guide
Cheilinus lunulatus is a Red Sea and Arabian wrasse; adult males develop a broom-like fringed tail. It feeds on molluscs and hard-shelled invertebrates.
Overview
The broomtail wrasse (Cheilinus lunulatus) is a wrasse of the family Labridae from the Red Sea and Arabian region. Males develop a long fringed caudal fin resembling an old broom and a bright-yellow marking on a black background near the gill cover. Maximum length is about 50 cm in males, averaging around 35 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Labridae
- Genus: Cheilinus
- Scientific name: Cheilinus lunulatus
- Described by Forsskål, 1775
Habitat
The species occurs from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Oman, mainly around Djibouti, Eritrea, the Seychelles and Somalia. In wider Indo-Pacific waters it is replaced by the closely related Cheilinus trilobatus. It lives on coral reefs and adjacent sand and seagrass habitats at depths of about 2 to 30 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 1500 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Maximum size: up to 50 cm (males)
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
Diet
Cheilinus lunulatus is carnivorous and feeds mainly on molluscs and other hard-shelled invertebrates, which it crushes with powerful jaws.
Compatibility
It is a large, semi-aggressive, diurnal wrasse of the middle water column. Sturdy tank mates such as tangs and cardinalfish are appropriate, while aggressive triggerfish should be avoided. The species is oviparous.
Reef compatibility
Because it preys on molluscs and other invertebrates, Cheilinus lunulatus is not reef-safe in systems containing ornamental snails, clams or shrimp. Specific gravity 1.024-1.026, carbonate hardness 8-12 dKH.
Conservation status
The IUCN Red List assesses Cheilinus lunulatus as Least Concern.