Care
Easy to keep, but a spacious aquarium is a necessity, as these active fish grow large and require swimming space. Ideally, there will be plenty of rockwork and a sand substrate that is 3-4" deep, to provide resting places for your wrasse. Provide clean, well oxygenated water with areas of fast current. Two male morphs exist: an "initial phase male" (also known as the secondary male) and a "terminal phase male". Initial phase males are non-territorial and do not look like typical males, but often spawn in groups with other females. Terminal phase males are very territorial, and their colouration is distinctively brighter. Individuals can be born as males or females, but if they are born males, they are not born as terminal phase males. Should the terminal phase male be lost from the group, a female or one of the initial phase males will become the terminal phase male. In this instance, it is usually the most dominant female or the most dominant initial phase male that replaces the previous terminal phase male. Relatively speaking, this is one of the more peaceful wrasse species, and is usually safe alongside similarly sized fish; but be aware that initial/secondary phase males can become much more territorial, so observe carefully. It is best to make this species the last addition to the tank, so that it is less likely to harass any newcomers. Will jump from an open-topped aquarium. May also be seen on sale as the Lunar Wrasse or Moon Wrasse.
Feeding
Carnivorous. Will readily accept most meaty frozen foods such as Mysis shrimp, krill, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, cockle & mussel meat, whitebait etc.
Breeding
This species has not been bred in captivity, most probably because large groups of this species are seldom kept together.
