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Fish

Rockmover wrasse

Novaculichthys taeniourus
French name : Labre rasoir (gaulois)

The rockmover wrasse, also called the dragon or reindeer wrasse, is a marine fish in the family Labridae found throughout the Indo-Pacific. Juveniles are ornate with trailing filaments that mimic drifting algae, while adults are greyish-green with dark-edged scales and a blunt head used for shifting rubble. As its name implies, it is a powerful, active fish that flips over rocks and rubble to find prey and can be aggressive toward tankmates and invertebrates. It is best kept singly with robust companions. It needs a large aquarium with a deep sand bed, into which it burrows to sleep, and loose rubble it can move. It is a carnivore feeding on crustaceans, mollusks, and other invertebrates, so it is not reef-safe with mobile inverts. It accepts a wide range of meaty frozen and live foods and is a hardy, characterful predator.

Water
Marine
Origin
Indo-Pacific reefs
Adult size
30 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Difficulty
Intermediate
Rockmover wrasse (Novaculichthys taeniourus)
Illustration

Water parameters

Temperature24 – 27 °C
pH8.1 – 8.4
Carbonate hardness (KH)8 – 12 °dKH
Salinity33 – 35 SG

Tank & stocking

Minimum tank volume450 L
Volume budget per individual 150 L — territorial: does not simply add up

“Minimum tank volume” is a reasonable floor, not an absolute limit. The per-individual budget is used by the Aqua app to estimate how heavily a tank is stocked.

Frequently asked questions

What size aquarium does Rockmover wrasse need?

Provide at least 450 litres to keep Rockmover wrasse in good conditions.

What water parameters does Rockmover wrasse need?

A temperature of 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, saltwater.

Is Rockmover wrasse peaceful or aggressive?

Its temperament is semi-aggressive.

What does Rockmover wrasse eat?

Its diet: carnivore.

How big does Rockmover wrasse get?

Around 30 cm as an adult.

Is Rockmover wrasse suitable for beginners?

Care level: intermediate.

Planning a tank with Rockmover wrasse?

AquaTender turns these parameters into live advice: it checks whether your tank is big enough, how heavily it's stocked, and whether your fish are compatible — then tracks water tests, photos and maintenance for you.

➕ Add Rockmover wrasse to my tank Discover AquaTender
« Add to my tank » opens AquaTender — sign in (free) and pick your aquarium.

Fish from the same biotope

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