Bluehead Wrasse

About

The bluehead wrasse (Thalassoma amblycephalum) is a small, active reef fish native to an enormous stretch of the Indo-Pacific, from the coasts of Somalia and South Africa all the way east to the Tuamotu Islands and north to southern Japan. That wide natural range gives you a clue about how adaptable this fish is. In the wild, it congregates in groups over shallow lagoon reefs and reef flats, picking crustacean zooplankton from the water column. A feeding style that translates well to prepared meaty foods in captivity. Like most wrasses, it goes through distinct color phases, and the name "rainbow wrasse" that sometimes gets attached to it reflects the variety of patterning you might see depending on the individual's age and sex. It can carry some confusion around common names. It occasionally gets called a parrotfish, though it is not one. Aquarium suitability is reasonably good for a saltwater fish, and its care level is considered manageable for newer reef keepers with a properly sized tank that gives it enough open water to cruise. With a potential lifespan pushing into double digits, this is a fish worth planning around rather than just adding on impulse.