RARE ITEM

The Broomtail Wrasse, known scientifically as Cheilinus lunulatus, is a remarkable fish found in the Western Indian Ocean, especially from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Oman. Its name comes from the unique broom-like tail fin of the adult male. This species undergoes a significant transformation in color and pattern as it matures. Young Broomtail Wrasses are usually olive with subtle stripes, while adult males display a vibrant green head with pink or yellow spots, a thick white or greenish-yellow band behind the gills, and a dark navy-blue to black rear. They inhabit coral reefs, reef slopes, rubble, sand, and seagrass areas, typically at depths of 2 to 30 meters. In their natural habitat, they are carnivorous, feeding mainly on hard-shelled invertebrates such as mollusks, crabs, sea urchins, and shrimp.

Housing a **Broomtail Wrasse** in a home aquarium is a considerable challenge due to its large adult size, which can reach up to 20 inches (50 cm) in the wild, though they may be slightly smaller in captivity (around 12-15 inches). This size requires a very spacious aquarium, with a minimum recommended capacity of 300 gallons, though some experts suggest even larger tanks. As a large and semi-aggressive predator, the **Broomtail Wrasse** is not considered reef-safe and is best suited for a Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR) setup. They will readily consume smaller fish and most ornamental invertebrates, including crabs, shrimp, snails, and sea stars.

The aquarium environment for the **Broomtail Wrasse** should be well-established, providing plenty of open swimming space along with ample rockwork, caves, and crevices for security and resting. They are known for moving rocks and sand in search of food, so all rock structures must be securely placed on the tank bottom to prevent collapses. They are recognized for their intelligence and engaging foraging behavior. Their diet in captivity should be varied and carnivorous, consisting of high-quality frozen and prepared meaty foods such as shrimp, fish flesh, and crustaceans. A unique feeding habit is that they may consume a large amount of food at once and then not eat again for a day or two. Due to their territorial and aggressive nature toward similar-looking or smaller species, it is strongly advised to keep only one **Broomtail Wrasse** per aquarium.

• Maximum Size: 20 inches

• Tank Capacity: 240 Gallons

• Temperament: Aggressive

• Coloration: Blue, Green, Yellow, Purple

• Diet: Carnivorous

• Native Region: Red Sea

• Reef Compatibility: No

• Experience Level: Intermediate

• Water Conditions: 74-82?F, SG 1.020-1.027, PH 7.9-8.5

• Alternate Names: Broom Tail Wrasse

Tiny: Up to 2 inches, Small: Over 2-2.5 inches, Small / Medium: Over 2.5-3.5 inches, Medium: Over 3.5-4.5 inches, Medium / Large: Over 4.5-5.5 inches, Large: Over 5.5-6.5 inches, Extra Large: Over 6.5-7.5 inches, Extra Extra Large: Over 7.5-8.5 inches, Show Size: Over 8.5-10.5 inches, Jumbo: Over 10.5 inches

NO FREE SHIP ON LARGE OR XLG SIZE