Glorious Wrasse - Thalassoma quinquevittatum

Glorious Wrasse (Thalassoma quinquevittatum)

The Glorious Wrasse, Thalassoma quinquevittatum, is a bold, fast-moving marine wrasse with vivid green body colouration, pink to purple striping and intricate facial markings. Also known as the Fivestripe Wrasse, Five Stripe Wrasse or Red-ribbon Wrasse, this Indo-Pacific species is hardy, active and full of character, but it is not a peaceful community wrasse. It is best suited to spacious fish-only or robust marine aquariums where its speed, appetite and semi-aggressive temperament can be managed properly.

Common Name:
Glorious Wrasse, Fivestripe Wrasse, Five Stripe Wrasse, Red-ribbon Wrasse, Quinquevittatum Wrasse.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Thalassoma quinquevittatum

Maximum Size:
Up to around 17 cm.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Indo-Pacific, from East Africa across to the Hawaiian, Marquesas and Tuamotu Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands. Naturally found on clear outer lagoon reefs and exposed seaward reefs, especially shallow surge zones, reef channels, Acropora plate areas and algae-rich reef bottoms. Adults are active reef swimmers, while juveniles tend to be more secretive in shallow gutters.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025

Temperament:
Semi-aggressive to aggressive. This is a very active Thalassoma wrasse that may harass timid fish, chase new additions and eat smaller tank mates if they are vulnerable. Best kept with robust, confident marine fish rather than peaceful dartfish, small gobies or delicate wrasses.

Diet:
Carnivorous micro-predator and invertebrate hunter. In the aquarium, offer a varied diet of frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, krill, chopped clam, mussel, prawn, squid, marine fish flesh and quality marine carnivore pellets. It may hunt worms, small crustaceans, small snails and other benthic invertebrates while foraging through the rockwork.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 350 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for long-term care. Provide strong filtration, open swimming room, mature rockwork and plenty of hiding places.

Behaviour & Activity:
A highly active daytime swimmer that patrols rockwork, reef structure and open areas in search of food. It is fast, inquisitive and constantly moving, so it needs space rather than a cramped aquascape. It may become more territorial as it matures and is often best added after more peaceful fish are established, or kept in a robust fish-only community. A tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is strongly recommended, as active wrasses can jump when startled.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe with Caution
Generally safe with corals, as it does not normally graze coral tissue. The caution is due to its predatory behaviour towards invertebrates: it may eat or harass shrimps, crabs, small snails, tube worms, feather dusters, small urchins, small sea stars, cucumbers and other mobile or exposed invertebrates. It is better suited to fish-only-with-live-rock systems or robust reefs where ornamental invertebrate losses are acceptable.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Requires a spacious aquarium with secure rockwork, strong oxygenation and a covered top. Avoid small peaceful fish, ornamental shrimps and delicate clean-up crew animals if losses would be a concern. Do not mix with timid wrasses or very similar Thalassoma species unless the aquarium is very large and carefully planned. This fish can become difficult to remove once established, so tank mate planning should be done before purchase.

Suitable for:
Experienced fishkeepers

Availability:
Occasional in trade

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.