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Dragon Wrasse (Novaculichthys taeniourus)
Dragon Wrasse
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.
Dragon Wrasse (Novaculichthys taeniourus)
Additional locales and sizes may be available!
Additional locales and sizes may be available!

Quick Stats

Care Level Moderate
Temperament Semi-aggressive
Color Form Blue, Green, Maroon, White
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'
Family Labridae
Minimum Tank Size 180 gallons
Compatibility View Chart
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information
Care Level Moderate
Temperament Semi-aggressive
Color Form Blue, Green, Maroon, White
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'
Family Labridae
Minimum Tank Size 180 gallons
Compatibility View Chart
What do these Quick Stats mean? Click here for more information

Overview

The Dragon Wrasse is also referred to as the Rockmover Wrasse. The juvenile body coloration can range from maroon to green with white markings. The fins are also notable in their appearance, especially the first two dorsal spines that form a "cow-lick." The adult does not have the large dorsal spines and has a light-blue to green body with impressive darker markings.

It should reside in a 180 gallon or larger aquarium with a 2-4 inch sandy bottom in which it can submerge itself since it sleeps in the sand. It may be kept with fish that are aggressive or larger than it is, but should be housed with more passive fish as a juvenile, house only one per tank. It should not be placed in a reef aquarium. As the Dragon Wrasse matures it will eat crustaceans, snails, shrimp, starfish, smaller fish, worms, and other invertebrates. It also moves the corals and rearranges the rocks in the aquarium to find food. The aquarium should also have a tight-fitting lid to prevent it from jumping out.

The Dragon 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.

Approximate Purchase Size: Juvenile Small: 1" to 3"; Sub Adult Medium: 3" to 4"; Adult Large: 4" to 6"

Customer Testimonials

PJ Boles Weiser , ID

I have had one of these since it was a small fish; it is now almost completely into the adult stage. It has provided a lot of amusement because of the rock and shell moving. I have found that it will eat anything smaller than itself so I would not recommend having smaller fish in with it. It will also harass just about anything in the tank including eels. It will also hide for days in the sand.
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