{"product_id":"neon-wrasse-halichoeres-melanurus-saltwater","title":"Neon Wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus)","description":"\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 Pick up at \u003cstrong\u003e1885 Braselton Hwy, Suite D, Lawrenceville, GA\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour order is reserved — we hold off on bagging until you arrive, so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eNeon Wrasse\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eHalichoeres melanurus\u003c\/em\u003e) — sometimes called the Tail-spot Wrasse, Hoeven's Wrasse, or Pinstripe Wrasse — is a brilliantly colored reef-safe wrasse with a yellow-orange body and electric blue horizontal pinstriping that runs head to tail. They're always on the move, picking through rockwork for pests and adding constant motion to the display. Care level is intermediate, temperament is peaceful, and they're reef-safe with caution (won't bother corals, but may snack on small ornamental inverts).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePair with our other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/corals\"\u003elive corals\u003c\/a\u003e for a stunning reef community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 55 gallons minimum, 75+ recommended. Active swimmer needs horizontal length more than depth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plenty of live rock with crevices and a sand bed at least 2–3 inches deep — \u003cem\u003eHalichoeres\u003c\/em\u003e wrasses bury in sand to sleep and when startled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTight-fitting lid required:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wrasses are accomplished jumpers, especially when first added or stressed. Gaps around overflows are common escape points — cover them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe with caution:\u003c\/strong\u003e Won't pick at corals or clams. Will eat small ornamental shrimp, bristle worms, flatworms, and tiny pest snails — great for pest control, but pricey ornamental inverts may be at risk.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carnivore. Offer a varied diet of mysis, brine shrimp, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brs-premium-saltwater-fish-food-pellets-2oz\"\u003emarine pellets\u003c\/a\u003e, frozen herbivore blends, and the occasional live copepod treat. Feed 2–3 times daily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSingle specimen per tank\u003c\/strong\u003e unless you have a very large reef — multiple males of the same species will fight.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\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%;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;width:40%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNeon Wrasse, Tail-spot Wrasse, Hoeven's Wrasse, Pinstripe Wrasse\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\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\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWestern Pacific (Indonesia, Philippines, Fiji)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e4–5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e5–8 years\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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e55 gallons (75+ recommended)\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, with caution (may eat small inverts)\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;\"\u003e72–78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.1–8.4\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;\"\u003e1.020–1.025 SG\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\u003c\/table\u003e\n\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\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGreat with:\u003c\/strong\u003e Most reef-safe community fish — clownfish, gobies, blennies, anthias, peaceful tangs, dwarf angels, cardinals. Plays well with most LPS, SPS, soft corals, and clams.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUse caution with:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small ornamental shrimp (sexy shrimp, peppermint, cleaners may be at risk), small ornamental snails, feather dusters. Other peaceful wrasses are usually OK as long as they're added together; established Halichoeres males may chase newcomers of the same genus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aggressive predators (lionfish, large groupers, triggerfish), other male Neon Wrasses unless in a very large reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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\/brs-premium-saltwater-fish-food-pellets-2oz\"\u003eBRS Premium Saltwater Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e — high-protein staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/nutramar-tigrio-live-copepods-4oz-saltwater-reef-food\"\u003eNutramar Tigrio Live Copepods\u003c\/a\u003e — live food enrichment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/vitalis-marine-pellets-1mm\"\u003eVitalis Marine Pellets 1mm\u003c\/a\u003e — varied nutrition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eFull nutrition collection\u003c\/a\u003e — mysis, brine, herbivore blends\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-testing\"\u003eWater testing kits\u003c\/a\u003e — reef parameters need regular checks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\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\u003eWhy do I need a deep sand bed?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eHalichoeres\u003c\/em\u003e wrasses sleep buried under the sand and dive into it when startled. Without 2–3 inches of fine sand, they'll stress, refuse to eat, and may not survive long-term. This isn't optional.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they really good for pest control?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — Neon Wrasses are voracious predators of bristle worms, flatworms, pyramidellid snails, and tiny pest crustaceans. They earn their place in any reef tank with a worm problem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they jump?\u003c\/strong\u003e Absolutely. New arrivals and stressed individuals jump. A tight-fitting eggcrate or polycarbonate top, plus covered overflow boxes, is non-negotiable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep two together?\u003c\/strong\u003e Two males will fight. A male and a female can sometimes work in a 75+ gallon reef, but sexing them isn't easy — safer to keep a single specimen unless you have a very large tank and add both at the same time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they eat my cleaner shrimp?\u003c\/strong\u003e Adult cleaner shrimp and large peppermint shrimp are usually safe with adult Neon Wrasses, but sexy shrimp, anemone shrimp, and very small specimens can disappear.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48327410155739,"sku":"FWRNE400AT-3","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_8d15d6ed-8868-4dc8-bd84-e7055d0eabd9.png?v=1772807236","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/neon-wrasse-halichoeres-melanurus-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}