| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | With Caution |
| Functional Benefit | Pest Control |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 120 gallons |
| Max Size | 12 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
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| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 2.25 - 4.25" - Indo-Pacific |
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| Out of Stock | 4.5 - 5.5" - Male - Central Pacific |
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| Out of Stock | 3.75 - 4.5" - Male - Central Pacific |
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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.
The Sunset Wrasse (Thalassoma lutescens) is a fast-swimming reef wrasse that actively hunts small mobile invertebrates, which can help reduce nuisance pests in some systems. Female fish are typically solid yellow, while males develop additional green/blue facial striping as they mature.
What You’ll Observe:
- Constant cruising through open water with quick turns around rockwork
- Regular “inspection laps” along the sand and lower rock ledges
- A strong feeding response, often learning the tank’s routine quickly
- A consistent bedtime routine, settling into the same general area each night
To succeed with this species, provide plenty of open swimming room plus rock structures it can weave through, along with a soft sand area for nighttime resting. Offer small meaty foods (like mysis, chopped shrimp, and similar fare) in multiple feedings to match its high activity level. A tight-fitting lid helps keep its energetic, upward darting behavior contained.
Can a Sunset Wrasse live on crushed coral instead of sand?
Most keepers aim for a softer sand area so the fish can settle in comfortably at night; if you prefer crushed coral, consider keeping at least one section of finer substrate available.
Why did my Sunset Wrasse “disappear” right after I added it?
It’s common for new wrasses to stay out of sight while they map the tank and pick a preferred sleeping spot; once settled, they usually follow a predictable daily schedule.
Will it change color over time?
Many Thalassoma wrasses show noticeable pattern and color shifts as they mature, especially as larger individuals transition into more dominant coloration.
Is it normal for it to chase other fish during feeding?
Short bursts of chasing around food are a common “high-energy” behavior; spreading food across a wider area often reduces crowding at a single spot.
Can I keep more than one Sunset Wrasse?
In very large aquariums, some hobbyists keep multiple Thalassoma, but most home setups do best with a single specimen as the main active wrasse.
Shipped with pure oxygen and temperature control so it arrives stress-free and ready to eat.
