Dragon Wrasse

Novaculichthys Wrasse should be added to well established aquariums with plenty of room to swim. Plenty of rock work with rubble as Novaculichthys Wrasse are rock movers and will spend a significant amount of hunting by moving rocks and rubble looking for potential prey. A deep sand bend should also be provided as Novaculichthys Wrasse will sleep in the sand bend and will dive into the sand bed when frightened. Novaculichthys Wrasse are not reef safe and will pick at and consume benthic invertebrates such as snails, tubeworms, sea stars, cucumbers, urchins, crabs and shrimp. A diet rich in meaty based foods along with live foods such as black worms or adult fortified Brine shrimp if sufficient prey is not readily available. Males, females and juveniles may exhibit significant color differences. Only 1 Novaculichthys Wrasse should be kept unless a pair as they can become aggressive. Wrasse are hermaphrodites meaning they start as juveniles/females but at some point in their life may turn into a male. Wrasse may jump be sure to provide an aquarium with a tight fitting lid.

The Dragon Wrasse are sometimes also known as the Rockmover Wrasse. Occasionally seen in the aquarium trade. Juveniles and adult Dragon Wrasse may have different coloration. Juveniles can be a brown or green color with white spots while adults are a dark brown with a white line on each scale, pale white face and dark lines around the eyes. Dragon Wrasse can grow to a little over 6".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 150 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH