The Dragon Wrasse, Novaculichthys taeniourus, also goes by the names Rockmover Wrasse, Striped Wrasse, Clown Wrasse, Reindeer Wrasse, or Red Belly Wrasse. It is not difficult to imagine why it has any of these names. The Dragon Wrasse has a beautiful black and white checkered body, an intricate striped mask, a subtle red belly, and long horn-like frills extending from its fins.
Dragon Wrasses can grow up to twelve inches in captivity and require a thick sandy substrate where they will burrow and sleep. They should be kept singly or in mated pairs in tanks of at least 50 gallons with plenty of live rock hiding places and a tightly sealed lid to prevent escapes. Brightly lit aquariums are best. It can be very entertaining to watch the Dragon Wrasse flip rocks around the tank as it searches for prey.
The Dragon Wrasse should be reserved for experienced aquarists only and are best in a fish-only tank. Eating a carnivorous diet of small inverts and crustaceans, this wrasse may pick on these organisms if kept together - they should be fed at least three times daily for best health. On the whole, adult Dragon Wrasses can be more aggressive than juveniles.
Dragon Wrasse care facts (ideal ranges)
- pH - 8.1-8.4
- Temperature - 72-78 F