About Melanurus Wrasse
The Melanurus Wrasse, also known as the Tail Spot Wrasse or Hoeven's Wrasse, is a beautiful, peaceful wrasse that makes an excellent addition to larger reef tanks. They have a distinctive color pattern with a red/orange face, yellow body, and a black spot at the base of the tail. Unlike the aggressive Six Line Wrasse, Melanurus Wrasses are generally peaceful but will eat small ornamental shrimp and crabs. They are active swimmers that need larger tanks and are generally reef-safe with corals.
Care Guide
Care Requirements
Tank Setup
Melanurus Wrasses need larger tanks with plenty of swimming space.
Essential Setup:
- 75+ gallons
- Live rock for grazing
- Open swimming space
- Sand substrate (they sleep in sand)
- Tight-fitting lid (jumpers)
- Temperature 72-78°F
Water Quality
- Temperature: 72-78°F (22-25.5°C)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific Gravity: 1.020-1.025
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: <20 ppm
Feeding
Carnivores:
- Frozen Mysis shrimp
- Frozen brine shrimp
- Marine pellets
- Copepods
- Small invertebrates
Behavior & Compatibility
Peaceful for a wrasse:
- Peaceful: Good community fish
- Active swimmers: Constant movement
- Sand sleepers: Burrow in sand at night
- Shrimp eaters: Will eat small shrimp
Good Tank Mates:
- Clownfish
- Tangs
- Blennies
- Cardinalfish
- Larger peaceful fish
Avoid:
- Other wrasses (territorial)
- Small ornamental shrimp
- Small decorative crabs
Sand Sleeping
Unique behavior:
- Burrow in sand: To sleep at night
- Disappear: Completely bury themselves
- Reemerge: In morning
- Sand required: 2-3 inches
Coloration
- Red/orange face: Distinctive
- Yellow/green body: Colorful
- Tail spot: Black spot at tail base
- Males: More colorful than females
Reef Safe
Generally reef safe:
- Corals: Safe with corals
- Invertebrates: Will eat small shrimp/crabs
- Mostly safe: With larger inverts
Tips for Success
- 75+ gallons recommended
- Sand substrate essential (for sleeping)
- May eat small shrimp
- Peaceful for a wrasse
- Secure lid (can jump)
- Beautiful coloration