Melanurus Wrasse - [Halichoeres melanurus]

Melanurus Wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus)

The Melanurus Wrasse, Halichoeres melanurus, is a colourful and active marine wrasse with green, orange, blue and pink striping, a yellow tail and attractive markings that vary with age and sex. Also known as the Tailspot Wrasse, Hoeven’s Wrasse or Yellow-tailed Wrasse, this Indo-Pacific species is popular in reef aquariums for its constant movement and appetite for small benthic pests. It is generally coral safe, but should be classed as reef safe with caution because it may eat small worms, tiny crustaceans and other small invertebrates.

Common Name:
Melanurus Wrasse, Tailspot Wrasse, Hoeven’s Wrasse, Yellow-tailed Wrasse, Orange-striped Wrasse.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Halichoeres melanurus

Maximum Size:
Up to around 14 cm.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Indo-Pacific, especially shallow coral reefs, rocky shores and sheltered reef habitats. It is found singly or in small groups, often over reef areas where sand, rubble and rockwork provide both foraging space and refuge.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025

Temperament:
Generally peaceful to semi-assertive. It is usually suitable for active reef communities, but may become territorial towards similar wrasses or very timid fish once established. Avoid keeping with very delicate species that may be stressed by its constant activity.

Diet:
Carnivorous micro-predator. In the wild, it feeds on small invertebrates including polychaete worms, copepods, isopods and other tiny prey. In the aquarium, offer frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, copepods, cyclops, chopped clam, finely chopped prawn, krill, quality marine pellets and other small meaty foods. It may help reduce nuisance flatworms, small bristle worms, pyramid snails or other tiny pests, but should not be bought as a guaranteed pest-control fish.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 250 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for mixed wrasse communities or busy reef systems. Provide open swimming space, mature live rock and a soft sand bed.

Behaviour & Activity:
An energetic daytime forager that spends much of its time cruising over rockwork, rubble and sand while picking at tiny prey. Like many Halichoeres wrasses, it dives into soft sand to sleep, hide or recover from stress, and newly introduced specimens may remain buried for several days while settling. A tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is essential, as active wrasses can jump when startled.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe with Caution
Generally safe with corals and most sessile invertebrates, as it does not normally nip coral tissue. The caution is due to its natural hunting behaviour: it may eat small worms, feather dusters, pods, flatworms, tiny snails, pyramid snails, very small shrimps or other small mobile invertebrates. Larger established clean-up crew animals are often ignored, but this cannot be guaranteed.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
A soft, clean sand bed is essential for sleeping and stress reduction. Avoid sharp coral gravel, bare-bottom systems and newly set-up aquariums with little natural food. Provide mature live rock, regular varied feeding, strong oxygenation and a secure lid. It may hide in the sand for several days after introduction, which can be normal. Avoid mixing with very similar Halichoeres wrasses unless the aquarium is large with multiple territory breaks.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Common in trade

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.