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Lyretail wrasse is a large active Thalassoma species — vibrant green/blue body with red/yellow tail extensions giving the "lyretail" appearance. Adult fish are striking but reach 10 inches and need substantial tank size. NOT reef safe with small inverts.
Native range: Indo-Pacific. Wrasses (family Labridae) are one of the most diverse and successful fish families on coral reefs — approximately 600 described species worldwide, of which 40-60 are commonly available in the marine aquarium trade. The Lyretail Wrasse is part of the Wrasse (Labridae) - Thalassoma grouping, characterized by elongated body shape, terminal-phase sex change (most species), and active reef-grazing or pest-control behavior.
Tank size: 125 gallons. Sand substrate is non-negotiable for sand-sleeping wrasse genera (Halichoeres, Macropharyngodon, Anampses) — 2-3 inches of fine pool-filter sand minimum. Rockwork should provide multiple cave entrances and tight crevices the fish can wedge into for sleeping or escape. Lid: tight-fitting, gap-free. Wrasses are the second-most-common jumping casualties in reef tanks after gobies — a single 1cm gap is enough.
Flow: moderate to moderately strong is preferred by most wrasses — they evolved on current-swept reefs. Lighting: standard reef LED works for all wrasses; the fish itself does not require special spectrum.
Carnivore — mysis, krill, chopped seafood, pellets. Most wrasses have very high metabolic rates and need 2-3 feedings daily. Skipping feedings during business travel or vacations leads to rapid condition loss — schedule automatic feeders or vendor-trusted tank-sitters for extended absences.
Safe: Larger reef-safe community 4"+.
Avoid: Small fish, small inverts, conspecifics.
Not captive bred. Most wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites — born female, transition to male as they reach social dominance in a group. Tank breeding of wrasses is rare due to the complex behaviors and pelagic egg-laying that resists captive replication.
Cleanup crew predation; aggression at feeding time; jumping.
Coral-safe but NOT invert-safe. Will eat small shrimp, snails, hermits.
About 10 inches at maturity. Large for a wrasse.
Semi-aggressive to aggressive. Will dominate community feeding time.
$50-150 depending on size.
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