Dragon Wrasse

[Condiman]

Dragon Wrasse
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Care Level: Moderate to Difficult
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F;
Temperament: Aggressive
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 1'
Reef Compatible: Juveniles are suited for reef but become aggressive with age
Behavior: likes to bury itself in the substrate. This is an inquisitive species that is prone to rearranging the tank.
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Fiji, Hawaii
Family: Labridae

The Dragon Wrasse is also known as a Rockmover Wrasse. As a juvinile its colors are marroon with white markings. Also as a juvinile the fins have a noticable apperence especially the first two dorsal spines that form a "cow-lick." The adult does not have the large dorsal spines and has a light-blue to green body with impressive darker markings.
The diet should include meaty items such as chopped seafoods, brine or mysid shrimp, blackworms, grass shrimp, and flake food. Larger specimens may be given small feeder fish.

[Charles Poole]

Some good info. How long have you had one of these Wrasses? Any other experiences with fish?

[Condiman]

About 2 years now and never had any problems

[Charles Poole]

I have never had one in any of my tanks yet, but we do get them at the LFS that I work. They are cool looking fish, but have an aggressive nature acording to a lot of the literature I have read, which I always second guess anyway. I like to get first hand info. from hobbyists rather than books. Most books are written from wild exhibited behaviors and characteristics, and don't always have merit in the captive environment.

At least now I can offer my customers an alternative view to the Dragon Wrasse. Maybe they will have a chance to enjoy this fish as you have. Are there any habits this fish have that you feel may have led to this agressive labeling. Or do you feel it is unwarranted pretty much altogether?

Do you feed all those foods on a regular basis? Which food does it seem to enjoy or prefer the most?

[Condiman]

I usually vary it from day to day so it dosent get bored if ya know what I mean. As for the attitude mine had a few disagreements in the main show tank but since then I have put him into his own 20 gall long he seems to be more mellowed out. All I have in there is 5 inches of sand and alot of small rocks for him to move around. It is neat that from week to week he changes his surroundings alot

[sweetmisery]

Sorry if this is an old topic but I cant help it, its one of my favorite fish I ever had...

Anyways, beware, yes, they are very agressive. My DW before ate all my crustaceans, he bites them then swim all over. Even if a crab pinch him in the head, its like nothing to him... Those are his favorite foods with the one I had...

Anyways, I used to keep him in a 35 gal. tank, and he was fine. DW are very beautiful, light green with some unique fins and teeth.

Around dusk, they dig on the pebbles and sleep, and wakes up together as most people do - around 5-6 a.m.

[faewyn]

Hi I a newby here :stupid:

Just bumping this topic up, For those you are or have kept these awesome guys, can you please give some more light on keeping them. pH, lighting etc, little things that you have found that has helped in keeping them in good health and spirits!
Thanks in Advance
faewyn :)

[Condiman]

Well I usually keep my water specks in check as for the lighting that is no real biggy I had mine in a 10 gallon for a while with 15 watt NO and he seemed quite happy in there. I always try to keep his diet varied.