{"product_id":"reindeer-wrasse","title":"Reindeer Wrasse | Novaculichthys taeniourus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Reindeer Wrasse, better known as the Rockmover or Dragon Wrasse, is a characterful, endlessly busy fish that flips over rubble and rock in search of prey. It is famous for its bizarre, shaggy juvenile stage. Be aware it grows large, to around 30 cm, and is not a reef-safe fish, so plan for it in a robust fish-only or FOWLR system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWidespread across the Indo-Pacific, on rubble slopes and sand flats around coral reefs where it spends the day physically rolling stones to expose hidden invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eJuveniles are extraordinary — mottled maroon, green and white with trailing filaments that mimic drifting algae, swaying as they move. Adults transform into a streamlined grey-green fish with a pale bar behind the head and neat dark markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and comical as a juvenile but increasingly bold and territorial as it matures, when it can bully smaller or timid fish. Best kept with robust tank mates that can hold their own.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore with a hearty appetite. Offer a varied meaty diet of mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, mussel, clam and krill. It is an easy, enthusiastic feeder.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a large aquarium of at least 380 litres with a deep 5 cm or more sand bed, as this wrasse buries itself completely to sleep and when alarmed. Loose rock it can shift is ideal, but glue down any structural rockwork it might topple. Maintain 24–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.020–1.026, and fit a tight lid.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot bred in home aquaria. It is a pelagic spawner and captive breeding is not commercially established.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNovaculichthys taeniourus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReindeer Wrasse (Rockmover \/ Dragon Wrasse)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e380 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e570 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–26 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFish-only or FOWLR aquarium\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRobust fish that can share a large system, such as tangs, larger angelfish, wrasses, triggerfish (with caution), squirrelfish and hardy hawkfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot reef safe — it will hunt and eat shrimp, crabs, snails, clams and other invertebrates, and may topple rockwork. Also avoid very small, timid fish it may harass or eat.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234144829731,"sku":"AA3650","price":48.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234144862499,"sku":"AA3650-M","price":53.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234144895267,"sku":"AA3650-L","price":63.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351948509475,"sku":"AA3650-XL","price":73.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562734600483,"sku":"AA3650-S-IMP","price":53.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562734633251,"sku":"AA3650-M-IMP","price":61.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562734666019,"sku":"AA3650-L-IMP","price":71.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562734698787,"sku":"AA3650-XL-IMP","price":81.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/reindeer-wrasse-43090662916387-fx.webp?v=1790319673","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/reindeer-wrasse","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}