Melanurus Wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus)

The Melanurus Wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus), also sold as the Tail-spot or Pinstripe Wrasse, is a living light show: a green and blue body laced with continuous orange and magenta pinstripes that seem to shift as it moves. It is fast, always busy, and constantly working the rock for food. Hardy, reef safe, and one of the most useful pest-hunting wrasses you can add to a reef. Browse the rest of our saltwater livestock and supplies to build the tank around it.

Care Guide

• Sand bed is mandatory. Like all Halichoeres wrasses it dives into the sand to sleep and to hide when startled, so it needs at least 2 inches of fine sand such as CaribSea Fiji Pink. Without it the fish has nowhere to rest and will not thrive.
• Tank size: 55 gallons or larger. This is an active, fast wrasse that needs open swimming room and plenty of rock to patrol.
• Lid required, no exceptions. Melanurus Wrasses are strong jumpers, especially in the first weeks. A tight lid or mesh top is essential.
• Water parameters: 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.025. Hardy once acclimated.
• Feeding: carnivore. It hunts the rocks all day but still needs regular meaty foods: PE Mysis, SFBB Mysis, and a marine pellet like Hikari Marine-S.
• Pest control: a genuine benefit. It hunts pyramidellid snails, flatworms, commensal bristleworms, and even nuisance urchins, making it one of the more useful reef fish available.

Specifications

Compatibility

Peaceful and reef safe, a strong fit for an active community reef. Excellent alongside the Premium Picasso Clownfish, Banggai Cardinalfish, Flame Hawkfish, Bicolor Blenny, and tangs such as the Scopas Tang.

The invert caveat. Coral safe, but it hunts small worms and snails, which is the trait that makes it valuable against reef pests. Ornamental micro-snails and very small shrimp can be at risk, though a full grown Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp is safe.

Other wrasses. It can be territorial toward other wrasses, especially other sand divers. Add wrasses together rather than one at a time, and keep just one Halichoeres in a normal display. Our Naoko's Fairy Wrasse occupies a different niche and usually coexists fine.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Piscine Energetics PE Mysis, the staple
• SFBB Mysis Shrimp Cube
• Hikari Marine-S pellet
• Xtreme Marine PeeWee Pellets
• CaribSea Fiji Pink Sand for a proper sleeping bed

FAQ

It disappeared right after I added it. Normal?
Completely. Melanurus Wrasses bury in the sand to sleep and when stressed, and a new one often stays under for a day or two before emerging to patrol.

Do I need sand?
Yes, this is non-negotiable. A fine sand bed is where it sleeps and hides. A bare bottom or crushed coral tank is the wrong home for any Halichoeres wrasse.

Is it the same as the Neon Wrasse?
Yes. Neon Wrasse is just another trade name for Halichoeres melanurus. The most common names are Melanurus, Tail-spot, and Pinstripe Wrasse.

Will it jump?
Yes, given any opening. A secure lid is essential, particularly in the settling-in period.