{"product_id":"melanurus-wrasse-halichoeres-melanurus-saltwater","title":"Melanurus Wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eMelanurus Wrasse\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eHalichoeres melanurus\u003c\/em\u003e), 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build the tank around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSand bed is mandatory.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-arag-alive-fiji-pink-sand-20lb\"\u003eCaribSea Fiji Pink\u003c\/a\u003e. Without it the fish has nowhere to rest and will not thrive.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 55 gallons or larger. This is an active, fast wrasse that needs open swimming room and plenty of rock to patrol.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid required, no exceptions.\u003c\/strong\u003e Melanurus Wrasses are strong jumpers, especially in the first weeks. A tight lid or mesh top is essential.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.025. Hardy once acclimated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e carnivore. It hunts the rocks all day but still needs regular meaty foods: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mysis-shrimp-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e, and a marine pellet like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-marine-s\"\u003eHikari Marine-S\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePest control:\u003c\/strong\u003e a genuine benefit. It hunts pyramidellid snails, flatworms, commensal bristleworms, and even nuisance urchins, making it one of the more useful reef fish available.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHalichoeres melanurus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMelanurus Wrasse, Tail-spot Wrasse, Pinstripe Wrasse, Neon Wrasse\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLabridae, the wrasses\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, mildly territorial with other wrasses\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes. Ignores corals, hunts pest snails and worms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCurrent size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMedium\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e55 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e2+ inches of fine sand, required for sleeping\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWestern Pacific reefs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and reef safe, a strong fit for an active community reef. Excellent alongside the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/premium-picasso-clownfish-amphiprion-percula-saltwater\"\u003ePremium Picasso Clownfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/banggai-cardinalfish-pterapogon-kauderni-saltwater\"\u003eBanggai Cardinalfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/flame-hawkfish-neocirrhites-armatus-saltwater\"\u003eFlame Hawkfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bicolor-blenny-ecsenius-bicolor-saltwater\"\u003eBicolor Blenny\u003c\/a\u003e, and tangs such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/scopas-tang-zebrasoma-scopas-saltwater\"\u003eScopas Tang\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe invert caveat.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/scarlet-skunk-cleaner-shrimp-lysmata-amboinensis-saltwater\"\u003eScarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e is safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOther wrasses.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/naokos-fairy-wrasse-cirrhilabrus-naokoae-saltwater\"\u003eNaoko's Fairy Wrasse\u003c\/a\u003e occupies a different niche and usually coexists fine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePiscine Energetics PE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e, the staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mysis-shrimp-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Mysis Shrimp Cube\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-marine-s\"\u003eHikari Marine-S\u003c\/a\u003e pellet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-marine-peewee-1-5mm-slow-sinking-pellet\"\u003eXtreme Marine PeeWee Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-arag-alive-fiji-pink-sand-20lb\"\u003eCaribSea Fiji Pink Sand\u003c\/a\u003e for a proper sleeping bed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt disappeared right after I added it. Normal?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCompletely. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need sand?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it the same as the Neon Wrasse?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Neon Wrasse is just another trade name for \u003cem\u003eHalichoeres melanurus\u003c\/em\u003e. The most common names are Melanurus, Tail-spot, and Pinstripe Wrasse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it jump?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, given any opening. A secure lid is essential, particularly in the settling-in period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Medium","offer_id":49016620875995,"sku":"SW3-SW0898","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_6ecc0fff-8d8c-48d7-bbc3-a4bd98eab0bc.png?v=1784915290","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/melanurus-wrasse-halichoeres-melanurus-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}