This dataset contains performance data for three tropical wrasse species: Halichoeres melanurus, Halichoeres miniatus and Thalassoma amblycephalum. New recruits from each species were collected from the Cairns region of the central Great Barrier Reef and divided into a control ('cont' - 29 degrees celsius) and plus 2 (31 degrees celsius) temperature treatment. Fish were reared in these treatments for 11 weeks. After the 11 week acclimation period, performance metrics were tested at their developmental treatment and then switched into the opposing temperature treatment. After four days habituation, individuals were then tested at their new temperature treatment. 'H. mini' refers to Halichoeres miniatus; 'H. mel' refers to Halichoeres melanurus and 'T. ambly' refers to Thalassoma amblycephalum. 'MO2Rest' refers to resting metabolic rate; 'MO2Max' to maximum metabolic rate and 'Net MO2' to net aerobic scope.