Do you know what a Sunset Wrasse is?

[leoskee]

There's a fish in my lfs that is labelled as a sunset wrasse. I looked online and it is not the correct labeling. To my knowledge it looks like it is in the grouper family rather than the wrasse family.

It has a orange head that fades into a gray/brown body. It has several large teeth on its bottom jaw. Does anyone know what I am talking about? They are extremely beautiful but I do not know anything about them.

Thanks.

 

[Amphiprion]

Most of the time, the term "sunset wrasse" is either applied Thalassoma lutescens or T. grammaticum. Take a look at this page and see if you find some pictures that most correspond to your fish. Also, pics would help greatly in narrowing it down, as it may not be any of the species given on the site.

 

[leoskee]

I wish I had a pic. I looked at all of the wrasses in the link you posted and I am positive it is not a wrasse. It has the head and eyes like a grouper or even a hawk. Again, its head is a bright orange and suddenly fades into a grey/brown. Ive seen it in two stores labeled as a sunset wrasse.

 

[leoskee]

Okay. I spent the last 10 min searching online for something that resembled the fish I saw today. The closest fish was a red spotted psuedochromis. It has the same shape except that its head is rounder and it has teeth sticking out from the bottom jaw.

Im still lost though. lol

 

[JonTarutis]

It looks like the pseudochromis? Sounds like a male Steenei pseudochromis. If so... it does not play well with others!

 

[leoskee]

Thats exactly what it is. Wow. I am glad I started post on RC. Some how or other you will get help.

Its a very nice looking fish. But it has the look and temperment that says it doesnt play around. I take it is not reef safe.

Here a link to a pic:

http://www.meerwasser-lexikon.de/in...r_id=14&sprache=de&name=Pseudochromis steenei

 

[leoskee]

I just read a little caption under a pic of a pair that was in the RK Mag, http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcs3/index.php . It says, "These fish need a species tank or they will make it such soon enough." Thats enough for me.

 

[JonTarutis]

As far as I am concerned they will eat anything they can... my male has had no issues dismembering blood shrimp that died in transit. Fascinating and beautiful with loads of personality but best kept alone. My male has been living in a 37gallon cube with a tuxedo urchin and some asst'd sps. I've yet to find him a mate though.
Glad you found out what is was before you bought it!
Jon