Bluehead Wrasse (Thalassoma Bifasciatum)
Key Facts
Also Known As: Blue-headed Wrasse, Thalassoma bifasciatum
Compatibility and Behavior The Bluehead Wrasse is a Caribbean species with a bold, confident personality to match — active, visible, and rarely shy once settled in. It's generally considered reef safe, though it can be opportunistic with very small ornamental shrimp and micro-crustaceans, so that's worth keeping in mind if you're running a heavily stocked invert display. Corals and macroalgae are left alone. Temperament-wise, mature males can lean territorial, and this species does best when given plenty of space and paired with tankmates that can hold their own without being aggressive themselves. Most hobbyists find that keeping just one per tank — or pairing with non-competing wrasse species — keeps things running smoothly. In a well-planned community setup with room to roam, Blueheads tend to be bold and engaging without becoming a problem.
Aquarium Requirements A minimum of 55 gallons gives this active swimmer the space it needs, ideally with a solid foundation of mature live rock, open swimming lanes, and a mix of shaded crevices and well-lit areas that loosely mirrors its natural Caribbean reef habitat. A secure, tight-fitting lid is important — this is a known jumper. Strong, stable filtration is recommended, and a healthy refugium for copepod production is a nice complement to its natural foraging instincts. When feeding, targeting areas of moderate flow helps replicate wild hunting conditions and tends to encourage the fish to range more actively through the tank rather than hovering in one spot.
Specifications
Approximate Size: 2.5–4"
Diet: Carnivore; small invertebrates, copepods, frozen mysis, enriched seafood mix
Origin: Caribbean, Western Atlantic
Care Level: Easy
Reef Safe: With caution — may consume very small ornamental shrimp and micro-crustaceans
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Special Considerations: Known jumper; requires a secure lid. Keep one per tank or with non-competing wrasse species to minimize territorial behavior.
Pairs well with
Bluehead Wrasse (Thalassoma Bifasciatum)
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Shipping Information
- Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday. Orders will be shipped overnight on the soonest possible shipping day, unless you request to hold the order for up to one business day.
- Your order will ship same-day if placed before 12:30 PM PST on a shipping day.
- Orders placed after 12:30 PM PST will ship on the next shipping day.
- Stay tuned to our Announcement Bar (black bar at the top of every page) for important shipping announcements...we may reach our max limit of orders we can ship on Mondays.
- If it is very hot, very cold, or if you live in a rural area, ship to a UPS Access Point to save your livestock from hours of exposure to the elements. Click here to see how.
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FAQ’s
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.
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Contact Us
Send us an email at sales@reefbeauties.com and we will get back to you shortly.
We do not offer phone calls. We handle our inquiries with timely emails to ensure a qualified and high-quality response, to have all conversations on record, and to avoid miscommunications that can occur over the phone.
Free shipping on orders over $199!
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if FedEx is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a FedEx Ship Center, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.