Banana Wrasse (Thalassoma Lutescens)

Care Level : Easy

Temperament : Aggressive

Color : Blue, Green, Yellow

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : No

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 1'

Origin : Indo-Pacific

Family : Labridae

Minimum Tank Size : 120 gallons

The Banana Wrasse (Thalassoma Lutescens) is also known as the Yellow-Brown Wrasse, Sunset Wrasse, or Yellow Wrasse.

Coloration in juveniles is somewhat more dull in comparison to it’s brilliant adult coloration. As an adult, it takes on a yellow appearance if female, and a blue appearance if male. Both sexes have facial markings in green and fine vertical striping along the body. The fins are very colorfully marked.

Banana Wrasse should reside in an 120 gallon or larger aquarium, with other aggressive tank mates, and plenty of rocks for hiding. Make sure to include a sand substrate of at least 10cm (4 inches) which will allow your Banana Wrasse to bury itself when hiding or sleeping. Wrasse are considered jumpers make sure your aquarium has a tight-fitting canopy or screen cover to prevent the Wrasse from jumping out of your aquarium. 

It will become territorial and harass any new additions to the community, therefore, it should be added last to the tank. As far as reef-friendliness is concerned, Banana Wrasse is a fairly safe choice. Though small crustaceans, worms (including fan worms), and mollusks are likely to become meals, potentially reducing the biodiversity of the system, corals and other sessile invertebrates will generally be left alone.

The Banana Wrasse diet should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food. Feeding them multiple times a day is recommended as they are very active and keeping them full will help keep them away from desirable inverts.

Size:

Males: Small: 1-1/2" to 3"; Medium: 3" to 6"; Large: 6" to 10" Females: Small: 1-1/2" to 2"; Small/Medium: 2" to 3" Medium: 3" to 4"; Medium/Large: 4" to 5"; Large: 5" to 6"