Melanurus Wrasse – Tail Spot Wrasse
The Melanurus Wrasse is also known as the Tail Spot Wrasse or Hoeven’s Wrasse. The body is blue-green with horizontal pink or yellow stripes on the sides. Juveniles have a more muted coloration.
Requires a 50-gallon or larger aquarium with a tight-fitting lid. A 2-3 inch sandy substrate provides hiding spots for shy behavior. Best kept with other peaceful wrasse species, including its own kind.
Feeds on fireworms, pyramidellid snails, feather dusters, wild shrimp, tubeworms, flatworms, and parasites from tank mates. Recommended diet includes vitamin-enriched frozen mysis shrimp and vitamin-enriched frozen brine shrimp, along with other meaty foods.
| Key Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Coloration | Blue-green body with horizontal pink or yellow stripes |
| Size | Up to 4 inches |
| Compatibility | Peaceful wrasses, non-aggressive species |
| Feeding | Frozen mysis shrimp, frozen brine shrimp, meaty foods |
FAQ
What is the typical color of an adult Melanurus Wrasse?
Adult Melanurus Wrasse have a blue-green body with horizontal pink or yellow stripes on the sides.
What kind of tank setup is recommended for this fish?
A 50-gallon or larger aquarium with a tight-fitting lid and a 2-3 inch sandy substrate for hiding.
What does the Melanurus Wrasse eat?
It eats fireworms, pyramidellid snails, feather dusters, wild shrimp, tubeworms, flatworms, and parasites from tank mates. Regular feedings should include vitamin-enriched frozen mysis shrimp and frozen brine shrimp.
Anne Duncan –
The Melanurus Wrasse has been a great addition to our 60-gallon tank. It’s active but not aggressive and helps keep snails and small invertebrates under control. The coloration is vibrant and it’s easy to spot in the tank. We feed it mysis shrimp twice a week and it’s always eating.
Virginia Butler –
We added this wrasse to our community tank with other wrasses. It’s peaceful and doesn’t bother the others. The stripes stand out well in the blue-green background. We noticed it eating some of the tubeworms and flatworms, which helped reduce pests.
Adrian Ross –
The fish has adapted well to our tank after a few weeks. It hides under the sand when new, but becomes more active over time. We feed it frozen brine shrimp and mysis shrimp daily, and it’s always interested in the food.