Klunzinger's Wrasse

Habitat: Natural geographic location:
   The Klunzinger's Wrasse was described by Klunzinger in 1871. Found in the Western Indian Ocean, the Red Sea. They range at depths of just a couple inches below the surface down to 98 feet (30 meters), inhabiting reef margins and seaward slopes. They will live in small groups consisting of females with one dominant male, and sometimes the young will live is groups.
   This wrasse has reportedly formed a hybrid with the Moon Wrasse Thalassoma lunare

Status:
   These fish are not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description:
   The Klunzinger's Wrasse has a green to bluish body with three horizontal lines, one mid-body and one on the lower body that are red, and another along the top that can be red to purplish. There are a series of vertical markings between the top two stripes that are red to purplish and the head has bold irregular stripes of red to pink. This wrasse basically retains the overall essence of its juvenile coloration throughout life, with the addition of dark fringing on the fins in secondary males. Life span is unknown, though the Thalassoma wrasses are known to be long lived in the aquarium.

Length/Diameter of fish:
   Adults can reach up to about 8 inches (20 cm), though in captivity most Thalassoma wrasses only grow to about 6 or 7 inches (15 - 18 cm).

Maintenance difficulty:
   This wrasse is hardy and easy to maintain. They adjust very quickly to aquarium life and prepared foods. Generally not considered totally reef safe. Though they will not bother your corals they will eat your small crustaceans and invertebrates. Good for a community aquarium, usually peaceful though secondary males can become aggressive.

Foods:
   The Klunzinger's Wrasses are carnivorous, in the wild they feed on many different invertebrates. Having very hearty appetites, they are easily trained to eat prepared foods in the aquarium. Feed a varied protein diet strong in small crustacea, formulas and frozen foods such as mysis and brineshrimp, and thawed chopped raw fish, and even flake foods. They are heavy eaters and need to be fed 2 or 3 times a day.

Maintenance:
   Normal water changes at 10% biweekly or 20% monthly.
   For more information see, Marine Aquarium Basics: Maintenance

Aquarium Parameters:
    This fish needs to have a large aquarium with lots of space for swimming, lots of rockwork for hiding and sleeping, and a sandy substrate 3 - 4" deep.
Minimum Tank Length/Size:
  A minimum 75 gallon (284 liters) aquarium.
Light: Recommended light levels
   No special requirements but does enjoy patches of sunlight.
Temperature:
   No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish is between 74° and 79° F (23 - 26° C), but can be kept up to 83° F (28°C).
Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
  No special requirements.
Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
   They will spend time in all parts of the aquarium.

Social Behaviors:
   In their natural environment juveniles are sometimes seen in groups, but adults are seen alone or in small loose groups. Aggressive with fish of similar size and should be housed with fish such as tangs and triggers. Avoid slow moving or smaller fish as they will be harassed, possibly eaten.

Sex: Sexual differences:
   Male and female have very similar coloring, however secondary will have dark fringes on the fins.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Not yet bred in captivity.

Availability:
   The Klunzinger's Wrasses are rarely available and command a high price, easily up to $90.00 USD.