Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: No
General Description: The Lunare Wrasse, also referred to as the Moon Wrasse or Lyretail Wrasse, has an incredibly large distribution across the Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, Fiji, and Australia. Because of this distribution, there is considerable variation among individuals offered. Juvenile Lunare wrasse are blue ventrally and light green over the rest of its body, with some facial markings and a black blotch on their dorsal fin and within their caudal fin. As the fish matures, the black blotch on their caudal fin will turn into a yellow crescent and the overall coloration of the fish becomes uniformly blue-green, with bright facial and pectoral fin markings. A relatively hardy, inexpensive, and easy fish to care for, Lunare wrasse can be quite aggressive [even as juveniles] and are very active, requiring an open water column for swimming space. An adult Lunare wrasse can reach a size of approximately 10″.
Diet Requirements: Lunare wrasses are carnivores. A diet consisting of various meaty preparations such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, mussels, clams, krill, squid and other large chunks of frozen food (with some that contain algae, such as spirulina) will maintain optimal health and coloration. We highly encourage soaking frozen foods in vitamin and fatty acid supplements, as wrasses have very high metabolisms. Lunare wrasses will also accept high quality flake or pellet foods, which is great for nutritional gaps and variety.
Care Requirements: An established, minimum 125 gallon aquarium is ideal for a Lunare wrasse. A tight fitting lid is a must because these wrasses are known to jump out of aquariums. While a Lunare wrasse will appreciate some rock work to sleep within at night, they also require a lot of unobstructed, open swimming space given their activity level. Lunare wrasses are not reef safe because they will eat clean-up crew invertebrates and likely harass small fishes typical of reef aquariums. A Lunare wrasse would make an excellent addition to a fish only with live rock aquarium, and other tank mates that match its energetic and somewhat aggressive disposition such as triggerfish, pufferfish, larger angelfish, and tangs. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Purchase Size:Â Small: 2-1/4″ to 3-1/4″; Medium: 3-1/2″ to 4-1/2″; Large: 4-3/4″ to 5-3/4″
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.
