Fish Coral Inverts

Melanarus Wrasse

Halichoeres melanurus

@Christian27484

@billy

@Christian27484

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@Christian27484

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Suggested Tank

55+ gallons

Max Size

5 inches

Difficulty

Easy

Temperament

Semi-Aggressive

Description

The Melanarus Wrasse is a beautiful and colorful saltwater fish that is popular among aquarium enthusiasts. It has a long, slender body with a pointed snout and is predominantly greenish-brown with vibrant blue and red markings. It is known for its active behavior, often seen swimming around the tank or burrowing in the sand.

Reef Safe

Yes, but with caution. While the Melanarus Wrasse is generally safe for coral reefs, it can sometimes disturb small invertebrates and ornamental shrimp.

Environment

The Melanarus Wrasse needs a well-established tank with plenty of live rock for hiding and hunting. It also requires a thick sandy substrate for burrowing. It prefers a brightly lit tank but also needs places where it can retreat from the light.

Behavior

This species is active and curious, often seen swimming around the tank. It also has a unique behavior of burrowing in the sand when it feels threatened or during the night for sleep. It is generally peaceful but can be territorial with other wrasses.

Information might not be complete or accurate. Help the community by suggesting corrections.

Owner Reviews

Daniel

@KaptainKraken

1 month ago

Overall Rating:

Would Buy Again: 👍 Yes

What You Feed: Mysis

Would sometimes eat snails in my tank. Had to be removed due to attacking my clownfish and other wrasse. But a colorful nice fish think I just got a bad individual.

Reef Safe: Yes, with Caution

Visibility: Moderate Visibility

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Difficulty: Easy

Min Tank Size: 40 Gallons

Christian

@Christian27484

1 year ago

Overall Rating:

Would Buy Again: 👍 Yes

What You Feed: Will eat anything you give it. I serve multiple brands of enriched brine shrimp as well as rods carnivore mix.

I’ve had mine for nearly a year and he has always been the most active and colorful fish in the tank. He has been a bit temperamental with new additions and small snails and crabs will disappear instantaneously. Tank Size: 60 breeder

Reef Safe: Yes

Visibility: Always Visible

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Difficulty: Easy

Min Tank Size: 40 Gallons

Billy

@billy

1 year ago

Overall Rating:

Would Buy Again: 👍 Yes

What You Feed: Frozen Mysis, PE Mysis pellets

The colors on this fish are insane. Pretty much every color in the rainbow it has. My Melanurus has been really good at hunting down pest. I’ve seen it eat bristle worms on multiple occasions.

Reef Safe: Yes

Visibility: Always Visible

Temperament: Peaceful

Difficulty: Easy

Min Tank Size: 75 Gallons