Thalassoma lunare

Datasheet

General Description

The Lyretail Wrasse, scientifically known as Thalassoma lunare, is a striking species belonging to the Labridae family. These fish exhibit beauty both as juveniles and adults, with a notable difference in appearance as they grow. They are known to feed on a variety of prey, ranging from Artemia to larger invertebrates like snails, crustaceans, and sea urchins. While they are capable of smashing larger crustaceans on rocks to facilitate swallowing, large individuals can display extreme aggression towards other fish, often preying on smaller tank mates.

Aquarium Suitability

Characterized as aggressive towards other species, the Lyretail Wrasse demands careful consideration when housing them in a home aquarium. They can pose a threat to both anemones and small fish, showcasing a need for regular feeding, ample hiding places, and significant space to mitigate their aggressive tendencies. When fully grown, these fish require a very large aquarium, making it challenging to house them in standard home setups. Additionally, their tendency to jump out of open aquaria and their inclination to feed on small crustaceans, snails, and other invertebrates should be taken into account.

Care and Hardiness

With a hardy nature, this species thrives in water conditions with a pH of 8.1-8.4, a specific gravity of 1.020-1.025, a temperature range of 22.2-25.6°C, and a carbonate hardness (KH) of 8-12. They should ideally be fed three times daily due to their high activity levels, requiring a varied diet consisting of fish, larger crustaceans, other invertebrates, small crustaceans, and zooplankton. Providing hiding places using live rocks is crucial for their well-being, despite not mandating a sandy substrate for their survival.

Reef Suitability

Considered reef safe with caution, the Lyretail Wrasse can be a valuable addition to reef aquariums due to its usefulness in controlling unwanted invertebrates like flatworms and pyramid snails. Though they present a threat to certain invertebrates, their habitat typically includes reef environments in the West Indian Ocean, Australia, the Red Sea, Indonesia, and parts of the Pacific.

Aquarium Setup

Setting up an aquarium for the Lyretail Wrasse requires attention to detail. Providing plenty of swimming space and ample hiding spots like live rocks is essential. The tank should be large enough to accommodate the fish comfortably, considering their aggressive behavior and territorial tendencies. A lid or other prevention methods should be employed to minimize the risk of the fish jumping out of the aquarium.

Behaviour

In their natural habitat, Lyretail Wrasses can be found living in pairs, typically consisting of a male and a female. Their behavior is characterized by aggression towards other fish species and a tendency to thrive in active swimming environments. This species requires constant feeding to sustain their high energy levels and should be observed closely when introduced to a new tank to ensure they are adapting well.

Feeding and Diet

To meet their dietary requirements, these Wrasses need a varied diet that includes fish, larger crustaceans like shrimp and crabs, other invertebrates, small crustaceans such as krill and artemia, and zooplankton like cyclops and pods. They must be fed several times a day, especially when first introduced into a new environment, and their feeding frequency may decrease as they locate natural food sources within the aquarium.

Dimorphism

One notable aspect of the Lyretail Wrasse is that they are hermaphroditic, capable of changing gender from female to male as needed. When a male is required, a female can undergo a sex change to fulfill the male role. This unique characteristic adds to the complexity of their social dynamics and breeding behavior.

Habitat and Distribution

In their natural habitat, the Lyretail Wrasse can be found in reef environments across the West Indian Ocean, Australia, the Red Sea, Indonesia, and various regions of the Pacific Ocean. Their distribution spans a wide geographic range, reflecting their adaptability to different marine ecosystems and highlighting the need for specific care considerations when kept in home aquariums.