Five Stripe / Pinkface Wrasse

hobbyreefer · May 1, 2020

Does anyone have experience with the Five Stripe (Pinkface) Wrasse? I have a 160 gallon bare bottom SPS tank. My current stock list is 3 tangs (yellow, blue and mimic), fox face, shallowtail angel, moorish idol, copperband, and a single maroon clown.

Does this wrasse require sand?

I do not have a lid yet, but one will be coming soon. Is this wrasse a big jumper?

I've read they are semi-aggressive. I'm assuming my current fish will be fine.

I do have a blood shrimp and coral banded shrimp. These both hide 100% during the day. Are the shrimp on the menu?

Good idea/Bad idea? My nitrates and phosphates read 0 unless I dose. I'm trying to add a few more fish to see if this help. Thanks!

mattzang · May 1, 2020

i've never kept one as thalassoma wrasses are aggressive and that aint flying for me

i believe they sleep in the sand sometimes, but not always? @evolved

it'll definitely eat the shrimp and smaller fish. liveaquaria says they eat mantis shrimp.. to give you an idea

assuming the fish you have are at least somewhat large i'd guess they'd be ok, but never know. one of the online sites had a bit on some of the thalassomas saying they'll take out decently sized fish too by biting onto them and bashing them into rocks

i'd check out evolved's wrasse threads for better alternatives if you're looking to just increase bioload. some wrasses require sand, though, so be mindful of that

evolved · May 1, 2020

I'll give a very simple answer here: do not put that species in your tank.

You don't want one in a reef unless it's a HUGE tank. The species is only good for aggressive fish only tanks, otherwise.

pandaparties · Sep 4, 2021

evolved said:
I'll give a very simple answer here: do not put that species in your tank.

You don't want one in a reef unless it's a HUGE tank. The species is only good for aggressive fish only tanks, otherwise.

Hey i have a large predatorish tank (500g) currently stocked with rays, sharks, naso tang, and a bird wrasse. You think this would be a good addition? Not sure how it will do with the others. Also is it a coral eater?