Melanurus Wrasse (Halichoeres Melanurus)

Care Level : Easy

Temperament : Peaceful

Color : Blue, Green, Red, Yellow

Diet : Carnivore

Reef Compatible : Yes

Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4

Max. Size : 5"

Origin : Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, Melanesia

Family : Labridae

Minimum Tank Size : 50 gallons

The Melanurus Wrasse (Halichoeres Melanurus) is also referred to as the Tail Spot Wrasse and Hoeven's Wrasse.

The body of this fish is blue-green in color and has pink or yellow stripes running horizontally across its sides. The color of the juvenile is more muted. Unlike some angelfish  species, which start as brightly-colored juveniles and turn into drab-colored adults, Melanurus wrasses grow into their color. So if you start with a youngster, you can expect those colors to gain in intensity as your fish matures. Adult males are considered more beautiful than females. Melanurus Wrasses can reach a size of approximately 5″.

A 50 gallon or larger aquarium with a tight-fitting lid, a 1-2 inch sandy bottom to hide under if frightened, and other peaceful wrasses, including its own species, is an acceptable environment. Keep in mind that your aquarium should have a lid, as wrasses tend to jump when they are threatened by some perceived danger.

Tankmates should be around the same size, aggression and activity level; avoid very small or docile tankmates. It will eat fireworms and pyramidellid snails, protecting corals and clams. In addition, it may eat feather dusters, wild shrimp, tubeworms, and flatworms. It may also eat parasites off of tank mates.

This species is a sequential hermaphrodite. That means they change sex depending on the social situation in the group. So all Melanurus Wrasses begin life as females. And while maintaining those lovely shades, they’re a little on the dull side. But without any other males around (or if they manage to become the dominant fish in a territory), the fish will change sex to male and adopt the brighter color patterns.

Regular feedings should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, vitamin enriched frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and marine pellet food. And for the Melanurus digestive tract to work properly, you need to offer food four times a day. 

Size: Small: 1-1/2" to 2 1/2"; Medium: 2 1/2" to 3 1/2"; Large: 3 1/2" to 4 1/2"