Moon wrasse (Thalassoma lunare)

Scientific name: Thalassoma lunare Linnaeus, 1758

The Moon wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) is a marine fish of the family Labridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F).

Moon wrasse care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 11. Adults are identified by the yellow lunate tail. Large males turn blue on the head that grades to green towards the tail. Body dark green to blue with vertical red to purplish red lines. Head green to blue with irregular pink to violet bands. Adults with large yellow crescent posteriorly in caudal fin and blue pectoral fins with a large elongate pink area distally. Juveniles with a large dark spot in middle of dorsal fin and a large diffuse black spot at base of caudal fin (Ref 9823).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Thalassoma lunare
Family: Labridae (Wrasses)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 45.0
Depth range: 1–20 m (3–66 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 20 m, usually 1 - 20 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Line Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island and northern New Zealand. Reported to have formed a hybrid with Thalassoma rueppellii.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)