Christmas Wrasse

Introduction

The Christmas Wrasse is a vibrantly colored marine fish named for its festive red and green hues, which resemble holiday decorations. Native to the Indo-Pacific region, this active and hardy species is popular among saltwater aquarium enthusiasts. The Christmas Wrasse is a curious and lively fish that constantly explores its environment, making it an entertaining addition to a reef or fish-only setup.

Scientific Name

Thalassoma trilobatum

Common Name

Christmas Wrasse, Ladder Wrasse

Water Quality and Temperature

• Temperature: 72°F to 82°F (22°C to 28°C)
• pH Level: 8.1 to 8.4
• Salinity: Specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025
• Water Hardness: 8-12 dKH
• Filtration: Requires a strong filtration system with good water movement
• Water Changes: Regular 20% weekly water changes to maintain water quality

Feeding

The Christmas Wrasse is a carnivorous fish with a preference for meaty foods. In the wild, it hunts small invertebrates, and in captivity, it thrives on:

• Protein Sources: Live or frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, chopped seafood, and krill
• Pellets and Flakes: High-quality flake food or pellets designed for carnivorous fish
• Live Foods: Occasional live feeder shrimp or small crustaceans
• Feeding Frequency: 2-3 times daily in small portions

Tank Mates

The Christmas Wrasse is generally peaceful but can become aggressive towards smaller, more timid fish. It does well in large tanks with similarly sized or larger fish.

• Ideal Tank Mates:
  • clownfish, tangs, angelfish, and other semi-aggressive wrasses
  • Large reef-safe fish like foxfaces and groupers
• Avoid:
  • Small, delicate invertebrates like ornamental shrimp (which it may eat)
  • Very timid or slow-moving fish that may be bullied

Substrates and Tank Decorations

• Substrate: Fine sand is ideal, as the Christmas Wrasse burrows in the substrate at night for shelter
• Decorations: Plenty of live rock for hiding and exploration
• Water Flow: Moderate to strong water movement mimicking reef environments

Suitable Plants

The Christmas Wrasse does not require live plants, but macroalgae like Caulerpa can be included in the setup for additional habitat complexity.

Sexing

• Male Traits: More vibrant coloration with pronounced red and green patterns
• Female Traits: Slightly duller coloration compared to males
• Juveniles: Typically resemble females and can transition to males as they mature

Breeding

Breeding the Christmas Wrasse in captivity is extremely rare due to its pelagic spawning behavior.

• Spawning Behavior: Males and females release eggs and sperm into the open water column
• Fry Care: Larvae require planktonic food and specialized care, making captive breeding highly challenging

Maximum Size and Longevity

• Size: Grows up to 10 inches (25 cm)
• Lifespan: Typically lives 5 to 8 years in captivity with proper care

General Information

The Christmas Wrasse is an energetic fish that constantly swims around the tank, investigating its surroundings. Its burrowing behavior is unique—at night, it hides under the sand for protection. While it is reef-safe with most corals, it may prey on small shrimp and other invertebrates. Due to its active nature, it requires a large tank (at least 100 gallons) to thrive.

A Fun Fact

The Christmas Wrasse is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning it starts life as a female and has the ability to transition into a male as it matures!