Cortez Rainbow Wrasse, Male

(Thalassoma lucasanum, male)

Thalassoma Wrasse should be added to well established aquariums with plenty of room to swim. Plenty of rock work should be provided for grazing and hiding. Thalassoma Wrasse will turn over rocks looking for crustaceans. A diet of enriched meaty foods should be provided multiple times daily. Thalassoma Wrasse are colorful, bold, very active swimmers and should not be kept with other Thalassoma Wrasse. The Thalassoma Wrasse may bury itself in the sand be sure to provide a deep sand bed. Wrasse are hermaphrodites meaning they start as juveniles/females but at some point in their life may turn into a male. Provide an aquarium with a tight fitting lid as Wrasse are jumpers.

The Cortez Rainbow Wrasse are also sometimes known simply as the Cortez Wrasse. Occasionally seen in the aquarium trade. Color and size may vary depending on maturity of the fish with adult males being brighter. Cortez Rainbow Wrasse have a multicolored face ranging from green, red to blue and a thick yellow vertical stripe behind its head with the rest of its body being red with thin vertical white stripes. Cortez Wrasse can grow to almost 8".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 75 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

  • Care: CareModerateModerate CareEasyEasy
  • Behavior: BehaviorAgressiveAgressive
  • Diet: DietFrozen FoodFrozen Food DietLive FoodLive Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef
  • Light: LightHighHigh