Paddlefin Wrasse
Thalassoma lucasanum
Price range: $39.99 through $95.99
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
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| Only 8 left | 4.25 - 6.25" - Male - East Pacific | Original price was: $181.99.$95.99Current price is: $95.99. |
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| Only 6 left | 2.25 - 4.25" - Male - East Pacific | Original price was: $137.99.$72.99Current price is: $72.99. |
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| Out of Stock | 6.25" or larger - Male - East Pacific | Original price was: $196.99.$103.99Current price is: $103.99. | Email me | |
| Only 3 left | 4.25 - 6.25" - Juvenile - East Pacific | Original price was: $103.99.$54.99Current price is: $54.99. |
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| Only 2 left | 2.25 - 4.25" - Juvenile - East Pacific | Original price was: $75.99.$39.99Current price is: $39.99. |
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| Out of Stock | 2.25" or smaller - Juvenile - East Pacific | Original price was: $70.99.$37.99Current price is: $37.99. | Email me |
Every order ships with our standard 3-hour live arrival guarantee. Need more time? Add our 5-Day Guarantee at checkout.
Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | With Caution |
| Functional Benefit | Pest Control |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 90 gallons |
| Max Size | 8 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Paddlefin Wrasse (Thalassoma lucasanum) is an active hunter that naturally picks off small crustaceans and worm-like prey, making it a practical choice when you want a fish that stays engaged with the rockwork. Adult males show a red body with blue-green head and fins, plus a distinct yellow band behind the head; females/juveniles keep a simpler pattern and less color intensity.
What You’ll Observe:
- Constant cruising and “patrol loops” through open water and around rock structures
- Quick, deliberate strikes at small items on the rocks during feeding time
- Clear day-time activity with regular laps along the front glass
- Noticeable color and pattern shifts as the fish matures
Provide a secure lid and an aquascape with both swim lanes and multiple hideouts so it can move and reset between laps. Offer a variety of meaty foods (frozen and prepared) in consistent portions to keep feeding response strong. In mixed communities, it does best when introduced after other established fish so it can settle into the existing layout.
Will it change color as it grows?
Yes—juveniles/females and mature males can look very different, and many keepers notice the brighter adult pattern develop over time as the fish matures.
Is nonstop swimming normal for this fish?
Yes. Many owners describe it as one of the most continuously active fish in the tank, often doing steady laps all day.
Can I keep more than one Paddlefin Wrasse together?
Sometimes, but hobbyists most often report better results in larger systems when fish are introduced together and given multiple separate “zones” in the rockwork.
What’s a simple way people reduce chasing in the first few days?
A common approach is temporarily using a mirror on the glass or an acclimation box so attention is redirected while territories settle.
Does it spend most of its time in the rocks or out in the open?
Expect both: it will weave in and out of rockwork while still spending a lot of time in open water doing repeated circuits of the tank.
Shipped with pure oxygen and temperature control so it arrives stress-free and ready to eat.
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