Thalassoma genivittatum

Datasheet

General Description
The Red-cheek wrasse, scientifically known as Thalassoma genivittatum, belongs to the Labridae family. These fish are visually stunning in both their juvenile and adult forms, though their appearance undergoes a significant transformation as they mature. They are known to grow relatively large, making them unsuitable for most home aquariums due to their space requirements. Red-cheek wrasses exhibit varying feeding habits, consuming anything from small Artemia to larger invertebrates such as snails, crustaceans, and sea urchins. They are adept at breaking down larger crustaceans by smashing them against rocks to facilitate ingestion.

Aquarium Suitability
Classified as suitable with care, the Red-cheek wrasse demands a large aquarium, especially when fully grown, as they need ample space for swimming. A sandy substrate, although not crucial for their well-being, is beneficial. These wrasses are active feeders and should be provided with a varied diet, including larger crustaceans, other invertebrates, small crustaceans, and zooplankton. They thrive in water conditions with a pH range of 8.1-8.4, a specific gravity of 1.020-1.025, and a temperature between 22.2-25.6 degrees Celsius.

Care and Hardiness
Considered hardy, Red-cheek wrasses can be aggressive, particularly if space is limited. They require frequent feeding, at least a couple of times daily, to meet their energy needs. Additionally, they must be housed in a tank with plenty of hiding spots, such as within live rocks, to ensure their well-being. These wrasses have the unique ability to change gender from female to male when necessary and can live as a pair, typically consisting of a male and female.

Reef Suitability
Red-cheek wrasses are deemed reef-safe with caution, as they harbor a potential threat towards smaller fish, snails, and crustaceans within the reef environment. They can help control pyramid snails but may not significantly impact larger outbreaks of marine parasites like Cryptocaryon. These wrasses are adept at removing parasites from other fish, contributing to overall aquarium health.

Aquarium Setup
Setting up an aquarium for Red-cheek wrasses necessitates a spacious tank with ample swimming space, hiding places, and a diverse range of live foods to meet their dietary needs. It is crucial to ensure that the tank has secure fitting lids to prevent these wrasses from jumping out, as they are known to exhibit this behavior.

Behaviour
Red-cheek wrasses are known for their active nature and may display aggressive tendencies towards smaller tank mates. While they exhibit digging behavior in the sand, their enclosure does not necessarily require a sandy substrate for survival.

Feeding and Diet
These wrasses have a broad omnivorous diet, regularly consuming larger crustaceans, other invertebrates, small crustaceans like krill and mysis shrimp, and zooplankton such as Cyclops and pods. Their feeding regime should consist of at least three feedings daily to sustain their high energy levels.

Dimorphism
Red-cheek wrasses exhibit dimorphism, wherein they can transition from female to male as needed. This species' unique reproductive behavior contributes to their ability to form male-female pairs within the aquarium environment.

Habitat and Distribution
Found primarily in the West Indian Ocean, Red-cheek wrasses inhabit diverse marine environments. Their natural habitats include coral reefs, rocky crevices, and areas abundant in small invertebrates and crustaceans for hunting and foraging activities.