Yellow-Brown Wrasse Care Guide
Thalassoma lutescens is an Indo-Pacific reef wrasse with yellow females and blue-headed terminal males, up to 30 cm.
Overview
Thalassoma lutescens is a marine wrasse of the family Labridae. According to FishBase and Wikipedia, it ranges across the Indo-Pacific from Sri Lanka to Ducie Island, north to southern Japan and the Hawaiian Islands and south to southeastern Australia. The initial phase has a yellow body with fine red lines, while terminal males show a pink-and-green head grading abruptly to blue-green behind.
Taxonomy
- Family: Labridae
- Genus: Thalassoma
- Scientific name: Thalassoma lutescens (Lay & Bennett, 1839)
Habitat
FishBase records the species from clear outer lagoons and seaward reefs, over open sand and rubble as well as dense coral growth, and notes it is common in shallow exposed areas at depths of 0-30 m. Wikipedia reports that it occurs in schools.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L (about 105 gal)
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Maximum length: about 30 cm TL (FishBase)
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
Diet
FishBase classes the species as a benthic carnivore (trophic level 3.7) that feeds mainly on shelled benthic invertebrates such as crabs, shrimps, gastropods, bivalves, brittle stars and sea urchins, as well as polychaete worms and fish eggs.
Compatibility
The wrasse is semi-aggressive and active, swimming in the middle water column by day. It suits robust tank mates such as tangs, sturdy wrasses and cardinalfishes, while overly aggressive triggerfishes should be avoided.
Breeding
FishBase describes the species as a pelagic spawner that reproduces in groups, consistent with the protogynous biology of the genus. Captive breeding is regarded as an expert-level challenge.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2009).