Rainbow Wrasse (Thalassoma quinquevittatum)

Rainbow Wrasse (Thalassoma quinquevittatum) Care

Overview

The Rainbow Wrasse, Thalassoma quinquevittatum,  is best kept in a FOWLR (Fish Only with Live Rock) aquarium of 75 gallons or more. They can reach a length of 7″ and need large areas to swim in and plenty of rock work as hiding places along with a deep fine sand bed of 4 to 6 inches to sleep in. They are very active fish and need tank-mates that are larger and somewhat aggressive to hold their own against the Hardwicke Wrasse. Some fish to consider with these guys are angelfish, some semi-aggressive trigger fish, hawkfish and groupers.

We recommend at least 4 to 6 inches of fine sand be both in any QT tank and the final display tank for them to be healthy. They require aquariums with tight fitting covers as they can be easily scared and will attempt to jump out of the tank.

Only keep one male fish per aquarium and they have been known to bite off stony coral polyps.

Feeding

These fish are carnivores and will eat most regular fortified aquarium food such as finely chopped frozen or fresh meaty foods. You can feed them brine, mysis, squid, shrimp, clam and flake and pellet foods three times a day.