Description

🌈 Melanarus Wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus)

Also known as the Hoeven’s Wrasse, the Melanarus Wrasse is a colorful and active reef-safe fish prized for both its looks and utility. Featuring vibrant green, blue, and orange stripes with a shimmering iridescence, this wrasse adds constant motion and personality to your reef while helping control pests like bristleworms and flatworms.

🪸 Care Guide

• Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive (especially toward smaller wrasses)

• Reef Safe: ✅ Yes – with caution (may eat small inverts like shrimp or snails)

• Max Size: ~5 inches

• Diet: Carnivore – frozen mysis, brine shrimp, enriched pellets, live foods

• Feeding Frequency: 2–3 times daily

🌊 Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons

• Lighting: Standard reef lighting

• Water Flow: Moderate

• Substrate: Sandbed is essential – they bury themselves at night and when stressed

• Aquascape: Rockwork with hiding places and open swimming space

🧬 Behavior & Compatibility

• Active swimmer; mostly peaceful but may become territorial with other wrasses

• Gets along well in mixed reef and community tanks

• Needs a secure lid – known jumper

Bonus:
Excellent natural pest controller for bristleworms, flatworms, and unwanted critters. A great choice for both aesthetics and function in reef tanks.