Bluehead
Wrasse or Thalassoma
bifasciatum
are
members of the family Labridae. This species is endemic to
the Caribbean and the Gulf of
Mexico with populations
occurring
as far south as the coastline of central Brazil .
Bluehead
wrasses are medium sized, cigar shaped, fish. They
grow to a maximum adult length of 7 inches. This species exhibits
dramatic
changes in coloration in relation to gender and age. Juveniles are
typically
yellow with white underbellies and black markings along their bodies
and on
their fins. Adult females are completely turquoise in color with two
vertical
black bars. It is in the adult male that the truly exotic color
variations of
this species can be witnessed. They have blue heads as their name would
indicate. A set of three thick vertical bands separate the head from
the main
body. The first and the third bands are black. These two bands are
clearly
defined by a white bar in the middle. The male’s main body is
either turquoise
with golden highlights or gold with turquoise highlights. Their
pitch-forked
tails are colorless and transparent in the center with the same
coloration as
their heads outlined with black pigmentation at the top and bottom of
the
caudal fin. Regardless of age or gender, this species has thick,
paddle-shaped
pectoral fins. They are exceptionally fast swimmers. This is a short
lived
species. Their live span rarely exceeds 2 years.
This fish is also
marketed
under the names blunt-headed wrasse or simply bluehead.
Blunt bears
reference
to wrasse species with more elongated snouts.
Juveniles
and the females of this species have peaceful temperaments. Adult males
lean
more toward the semi-aggressive side. They may tend to harass smaller,
more
mild mannered, fish. A new arrival to the aquarium might elicit initial
territorial behavior, especially toward those
of similar
shape.
All things considered, these fish make
suitable candidates for multi-species aquariums. They should
not be kept with larger more,
aggressive species. The bluehead’s suitability
for a marine reef tank depends on its inhabitants. They will not bother
plant
life, corals or other forms of stationary fauna. But they will eat
crustaceans
and other mobile invertebrates. This species is rated at a moderate
care level.
Any saltwater aquarist with intermediate experience should be able to
keep them
alive and healthy. They are, however, sensitive to unhealthy water
parameters.
A good quality filtration system and frequent water changes will help
keep them
in optimum condition. These are very active swimmers and will require
plenty of
open swimming space. They will instinctively seek out holes or cracks
in rock
formations to sleep in at night so you will want to provide them with
plenty of
aquarium décor or rock work. A minimum tank size of 75
gallons is recommended.
This
is a
carnivorous species. In the wild their diet consists of fish, small
crustaceans
and other invertebrates including worms. They will help rid your
aquarium of
pest species such as mantis shrimp and bristle worms. These fish take
readily
to aquarium food. Their diet can be further supplemented with fresh
chopped
seafood, and feeder shrimp. This is an extremely active species. They
should be
fed 3 times daily.
Bluehead
wrasses are protogynous sequential hermaphrodites. They may begin their
life
cycle as either male or female. Females have ability to change gender
should
future prorogation of the species call for the demand. This fish has
not been
known to breed in captivity.
