Bluehead Wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum)

The Bluehead Wrasse is a beautiful, multicolored wrasse. Similar to many wrasse species, the Bluehead Wrasse demonstrates dramatic color variation within individuals based on gender and age. The Bluehead Wrasse experiences distinct yet fluid color phases. The juvenile Bluehead Wrasse is generally yellow with black markings along their sides and sometimes on their fins. As an adult, the male Bluehead Wrasse has a bold stripe pattern (black, white, black) that divides a vibrant blue-green and yellow anterior from the namesake blue head. The female Bluehead Wrasse is completely turquoise except for two black stripes.

The Bluehead Wrasse should be housed in a 75 gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of live rocks for hiding and a sandy substrate to burrow into at night. Larger, gregarious tankmates are recommended since the Bluehead Wrasse will demonstrate territorial behavior and harass new additions to the aquarium. If possible, the Bluehead Wrasse should be the last fish added to the aquarium. The Bluehead Wrasse is a carnivore whose natural diet consists of fish, crustaceans, motile invertebrates, and worms. As such, the Bluehead Wrasse may eat unwanted mantis shrimp or bristleworms in the aquarium. The Bluehead Wrasses does not eat corals or macroalgae.

The Bluehead Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food.

Approximate Purchase Size: Male Small: 1" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3-1/2"; Large: 3-1/2" to 5-1/2"

Care details

• Temperature: 72 - 78° F
• dKH: 8 - 12
• Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.025
• Color: Black, Blue, White and Yellow
• Family: Labridae
• Diet: Carnivore