Sunset Wrasse

Sunset Wrasse: The Active Yellow-Green Predator

The Sunset Wrasse (Thalassoma lutescens), commonly known as the Banana Wrasse or Yellow-brown Wrasse, is a strikingly colored and highly energetic fish native to the Indo-Pacific. This species exhibits pronounced sexual and size-related color changes. Juveniles and initial phase (IP) females/males are predominantly bright yellow to yellow-green, often featuring reddish or pink lines on the face and body. Terminal phase (TP) males, or "supermales," undergo a dramatic transformation, developing a greenish-blue body, a pinkish-red head with irregular green stripes, and blue-tipped pectoral fins, truly living up to the "sunset" moniker.

This is a large and robust wrasse, reaching up to 10 to 12 inches (25-30 cm) in the home aquarium, with wild specimens growing even larger. Due to its maximum size and constant, active swimming behavior, the Sunset Wrasse requires a minimum aquarium size of 125 to 150 gallons, with larger being strongly recommended. They are known for their speed and agility.

Like all wrasses in the Thalassoma genus, the Sunset Wrasse is a skilled jumper; a tight-fitting, weighted lid is mandatory to prevent escape. It will also appreciate a soft, fine-grained sand bed (at least 3-4 inches deep) to burrow into for protection when stressed or for sleeping at night, though it may also choose to sleep under a rock ledge or coral branch.

Diet & Compatibility:

• Diet: The Sunset Wrasse is a strict Carnivore and a natural predator. In the wild, it feeds on small benthic invertebrates, including crustaceans, snails, brittle stars, and polychaete worms. In the aquarium, it requires a diet of varied, high-quality, meaty frozen foods, such as enriched mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, chopped clam, squid, and prepared marine pellets/flakes. Due to its high metabolism, it should be fed 2-3 times per day.
• Reef Compatibility: It is NOT Reef Safe or Reef Safe With Extreme Caution. While it will not generally bother corals, it is a significant threat to nearly all small ornamental invertebrates typically found in a cleanup crew, including shrimp, snails, and crabs. It will also consume bristle worms and small pyramid snails. It is best suited for a Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR) system.
• Temperament: It is Semi-Aggressive to Aggressive. The Sunset Wrasse is boisterous and territorial, especially as a terminal phase male. It should only be housed with large, active, and similarly semi-aggressive tankmates that can hold their own, such as large tangs, large angelfish, puffers, and triggerfish. It must be kept singly, as it will aggressively fight other Thalassoma wrasses.
• Special Notes: As a protogynous sequential hermaphrodite, all individuals start as female, with the dominant female in a group transforming into the terminal male.

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Thalassoma lutescens
• Primary Common Name: Sunset Wrasse
• Other Common Names: Banana Wrasse, Yellow-brown Wrasse, Lime Green Wrasse
• Origin: Indo-Pacific (Widespread)
• Max Size: 10-12 inches (25-30 cm)
• Temperament: Semi-Aggressive / Aggressive (Very Active)
• Diet: Carnivore (Must be fed multiple times daily)
• Minimum Tank Size: 125-150+ Gallons
• Reef Compatibility: No / Extreme Caution (Will prey on invertebrates)