Moon Wrasse (Thalassoma Lunare)
Moon Wrasse (Thalassoma lunare)
The Moon Wrasse, also known as the Lyretail Wrasse or Lunar Wrasse, is one of the most active and recognizable fish on the Indo-Pacific reefs. In Indonesia, it is a very common and popular species. It is famous for its "hypersonic" swimming speed and its neon, psychedelic colors. However, it is a boisterous fish that requires a large tank and robust tank mates, as it can be quite a "bully" in smaller or peaceful settings.
Key Information
-
Common Names: Moon Wrasse, Lyretail Wrasse, Lunar Wrasse
-
Scientific Name: Thalassoma lunare
-
Origin: Indo-Pacific (Red Sea to the Line Islands, very common in Indonesia)
-
Max Size: 25 cm (approx. 10 inches)
-
Lifespan: 10+ years
-
Temperament: Aggressive / Boisterous; very territorial
-
Diet: Carnivore – High-energy predator
-
Care Level: Easy (Hardy)
Appearance & Identification
The Moon Wrasse looks like a living neon sign:
-
The Body: A vibrant emerald green to turquoise body covered in fine, vertical pink-to-purple scales.
-
The Head: Features a "warpaint" pattern of bright pink and blue radiating lines around the eye and snout.
-
The Tail: Its most defining feature is the lyre-shaped (crescent) tail, which is bright yellow in the center with blue or pink edges—resembling a "crescent moon."
-
Activity: It is almost never still; its pectoral fins move constantly, making it look like it's "flying" through the water.
Behaviour & Tank Compatibility
-
The Speedster: This fish is a high-velocity swimmer. It needs a long tank to accommodate its constant, frantic movement.
-
Aggression: It is notoriously territorial and aggressive. It will harass new additions, especially other wrasses or small, peaceful fish. It is often the "boss" of the tank.
-
Invertebrate Risk: Not safe with invertebrates. It will eagerly eat ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, and even small starfish. It has powerful jaws and a high prey drive.
-
Reef Safe: Yes, with corals. It will not eat coral polyps, but its fast swimming and tendency to "flip" small rocks/frags can be disruptive to a delicate reef.
-
Tank Mates: Only house with large, assertive fish such as Tangs, large Angelfish, Triggers, and Groupers. Do not keep with peaceful species like Firefish, Gobies, or Fairy Wrasses.
Ideal Tank Setup
-
Tank Size: A minimum of 475L (125 Gallons) is required due to its size and extreme activity level. A 6-foot long tank is ideal.
-
Rockwork: Provide plenty of live rock with large caves. Unlike many other wrasses, Thalassoma species do not bury in the sand to sleep; they hide in rock crevices.
-
Lid is Mandatory: They are incredibly fast and can easily launch themselves out of the tank if startled. A secure, heavy lid is a must.
-
Filtration: Because they are active carnivores with high metabolisms, they produce a lot of waste. A strong protein skimmer and high water turnover are necessary.
Dietary Needs
They are greedy eaters and rarely refuse food:
-
Diet: Provide a variety of meaty foods like frozen mysis, krill, chopped squid, clams, and silversides.
-
Frequency: Feed 2–3 times daily to keep their energy levels up and potentially curb some of their aggression.
-
Note: They are often "food hogs" and may prevent slower fish from getting enough to eat.
Why Choose the Moon Wrasse?
The Moon Wrasse is for the hobbyist who wants non-stop action and neon color. It is an incredibly hardy fish that can survive almost anything, making it a "bulletproof" choice for a large, aggressive community or FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) system. If you have a massive tank with other "tough" fish, the Moon Wrasse provides a level of energy and visual brilliance that few other species can match.
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Moon Wrasse (Thalassoma Lunare)
Moon Wrasse (Thalassoma Lunare)
Moon Wrasse (Thalassoma lunare)
The Moon Wrasse, also known as the Lyretail Wrasse or Lunar Wrasse, is one of the most active and recognizable fish on the Indo-Pacific reefs. In Indonesia, it is a very common and popular species. It is famous for its "hypersonic" swimming speed and its neon, psychedelic colors. However, it is a boisterous fish that requires a large tank and robust tank mates, as it can be quite a "bully" in smaller or peaceful settings.
Key Information
-
Common Names: Moon Wrasse, Lyretail Wrasse, Lunar Wrasse
-
Scientific Name: Thalassoma lunare
-
Origin: Indo-Pacific (Red Sea to the Line Islands, very common in Indonesia)
-
Max Size: 25 cm (approx. 10 inches)
-
Lifespan: 10+ years
-
Temperament: Aggressive / Boisterous; very territorial
-
Diet: Carnivore – High-energy predator
-
Care Level: Easy (Hardy)
Appearance & Identification
The Moon Wrasse looks like a living neon sign:
-
The Body: A vibrant emerald green to turquoise body covered in fine, vertical pink-to-purple scales.
-
The Head: Features a "warpaint" pattern of bright pink and blue radiating lines around the eye and snout.
-
The Tail: Its most defining feature is the lyre-shaped (crescent) tail, which is bright yellow in the center with blue or pink edges—resembling a "crescent moon."
-
Activity: It is almost never still; its pectoral fins move constantly, making it look like it's "flying" through the water.
Behaviour & Tank Compatibility
-
The Speedster: This fish is a high-velocity swimmer. It needs a long tank to accommodate its constant, frantic movement.
-
Aggression: It is notoriously territorial and aggressive. It will harass new additions, especially other wrasses or small, peaceful fish. It is often the "boss" of the tank.
-
Invertebrate Risk: Not safe with invertebrates. It will eagerly eat ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, and even small starfish. It has powerful jaws and a high prey drive.
-
Reef Safe: Yes, with corals. It will not eat coral polyps, but its fast swimming and tendency to "flip" small rocks/frags can be disruptive to a delicate reef.
-
Tank Mates: Only house with large, assertive fish such as Tangs, large Angelfish, Triggers, and Groupers. Do not keep with peaceful species like Firefish, Gobies, or Fairy Wrasses.
Ideal Tank Setup
-
Tank Size: A minimum of 475L (125 Gallons) is required due to its size and extreme activity level. A 6-foot long tank is ideal.
-
Rockwork: Provide plenty of live rock with large caves. Unlike many other wrasses, Thalassoma species do not bury in the sand to sleep; they hide in rock crevices.
-
Lid is Mandatory: They are incredibly fast and can easily launch themselves out of the tank if startled. A secure, heavy lid is a must.
-
Filtration: Because they are active carnivores with high metabolisms, they produce a lot of waste. A strong protein skimmer and high water turnover are necessary.
Dietary Needs
They are greedy eaters and rarely refuse food:
-
Diet: Provide a variety of meaty foods like frozen mysis, krill, chopped squid, clams, and silversides.
-
Frequency: Feed 2–3 times daily to keep their energy levels up and potentially curb some of their aggression.
-
Note: They are often "food hogs" and may prevent slower fish from getting enough to eat.
Why Choose the Moon Wrasse?
The Moon Wrasse is for the hobbyist who wants non-stop action and neon color. It is an incredibly hardy fish that can survive almost anything, making it a "bulletproof" choice for a large, aggressive community or FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) system. If you have a massive tank with other "tough" fish, the Moon Wrasse provides a level of energy and visual brilliance that few other species can match.
Original: $60.79
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$21.28Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
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Description
Moon Wrasse (Thalassoma lunare)
The Moon Wrasse, also known as the Lyretail Wrasse or Lunar Wrasse, is one of the most active and recognizable fish on the Indo-Pacific reefs. In Indonesia, it is a very common and popular species. It is famous for its "hypersonic" swimming speed and its neon, psychedelic colors. However, it is a boisterous fish that requires a large tank and robust tank mates, as it can be quite a "bully" in smaller or peaceful settings.
Key Information
-
Common Names: Moon Wrasse, Lyretail Wrasse, Lunar Wrasse
-
Scientific Name: Thalassoma lunare
-
Origin: Indo-Pacific (Red Sea to the Line Islands, very common in Indonesia)
-
Max Size: 25 cm (approx. 10 inches)
-
Lifespan: 10+ years
-
Temperament: Aggressive / Boisterous; very territorial
-
Diet: Carnivore – High-energy predator
-
Care Level: Easy (Hardy)
Appearance & Identification
The Moon Wrasse looks like a living neon sign:
-
The Body: A vibrant emerald green to turquoise body covered in fine, vertical pink-to-purple scales.
-
The Head: Features a "warpaint" pattern of bright pink and blue radiating lines around the eye and snout.
-
The Tail: Its most defining feature is the lyre-shaped (crescent) tail, which is bright yellow in the center with blue or pink edges—resembling a "crescent moon."
-
Activity: It is almost never still; its pectoral fins move constantly, making it look like it's "flying" through the water.
Behaviour & Tank Compatibility
-
The Speedster: This fish is a high-velocity swimmer. It needs a long tank to accommodate its constant, frantic movement.
-
Aggression: It is notoriously territorial and aggressive. It will harass new additions, especially other wrasses or small, peaceful fish. It is often the "boss" of the tank.
-
Invertebrate Risk: Not safe with invertebrates. It will eagerly eat ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, and even small starfish. It has powerful jaws and a high prey drive.
-
Reef Safe: Yes, with corals. It will not eat coral polyps, but its fast swimming and tendency to "flip" small rocks/frags can be disruptive to a delicate reef.
-
Tank Mates: Only house with large, assertive fish such as Tangs, large Angelfish, Triggers, and Groupers. Do not keep with peaceful species like Firefish, Gobies, or Fairy Wrasses.
Ideal Tank Setup
-
Tank Size: A minimum of 475L (125 Gallons) is required due to its size and extreme activity level. A 6-foot long tank is ideal.
-
Rockwork: Provide plenty of live rock with large caves. Unlike many other wrasses, Thalassoma species do not bury in the sand to sleep; they hide in rock crevices.
-
Lid is Mandatory: They are incredibly fast and can easily launch themselves out of the tank if startled. A secure, heavy lid is a must.
-
Filtration: Because they are active carnivores with high metabolisms, they produce a lot of waste. A strong protein skimmer and high water turnover are necessary.
Dietary Needs
They are greedy eaters and rarely refuse food:
-
Diet: Provide a variety of meaty foods like frozen mysis, krill, chopped squid, clams, and silversides.
-
Frequency: Feed 2–3 times daily to keep their energy levels up and potentially curb some of their aggression.
-
Note: They are often "food hogs" and may prevent slower fish from getting enough to eat.
Why Choose the Moon Wrasse?
The Moon Wrasse is for the hobbyist who wants non-stop action and neon color. It is an incredibly hardy fish that can survive almost anything, making it a "bulletproof" choice for a large, aggressive community or FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) system. If you have a massive tank with other "tough" fish, the Moon Wrasse provides a level of energy and visual brilliance that few other species can match.
