Wrasse – Bluehead

Bluehead Wrasse Care Tips:

Minimum Tank Size:  80 Gallons

Max Size: Up to 17.5cm (7″)

Diet: Carnivore

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Lifespan: Up to 30 years

Scientific Name: Thalassoma Bifasciatum

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes with caution (May prey upon crustaceans as it matures)

Approx. Purchase Size:  2 -3 inches

The bluehead wrasse, scientific name Thalassoma Bifasciatum is a semi-aggressive fish. Their minimum tank size is 80 gallons. Bluehead wrasses can grow up to 7” and can live up to 30 years. Bluehead wrasses are carnivores and should be fed frozen meaty foods such as brine or mysis shrimp. They should be kept singly as they will fight with other bluehead wrasses and they should not be kept with other Thalassoma wrasses. All Thalassoma wrasses start as females, if there is multiple kept together and no male is present, the dominant female will turn into a male. Bluehead wrasses can be kept with other semi-aggressive or aggressive wrasses. Bluehead wrasses are coral safe but they are not completely safe with invertebrates. Thalassoma wrasses will prey upon crustaceans especially as they continue to mature. Thalassoma wrasses sleep in cracks and crevices in the rocks at night time, during the day they will be swimming throughout the tank. They are very active swimmers so its not uncommon for them to get tired and rest on the substrate. Wrasses are known for jumping and require a tight fighting lid.