{"product_id":"melanurus-wrasse","title":"Melanurus Wrasse | Halichoeres melanurus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Melanurus Wrasse, also known as the Tail-spot or Pinstriped Wrasse, is a hardy, brilliantly coloured and active wrasse covered in fine green, blue and pink pinstripes. Reaching around 13 cm, it is a superb worker in the reef, hunting down pest fireworms and parasitic snails while adding constant colour and movement. A popular and rewarding wrasse for the maturing reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHalichoeres melanurus is widespread across the western Pacific, foraging over sand, rubble and reef flats where it hunts small invertebrates. It buries in the sand to sleep and when startled, so a soft sand bed is essential. In the aquarium it wants mature live rock, a fine sand bed and open swimming room.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA slender wrasse patterned with intricate green and blue pinstripes over a warm body, with pink and yellow highlights and small eyespots on the fins. Males intensify in colour with maturity. A healthy fish is well filled, alert and swimming actively, diving into the sand only to rest or when alarmed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eActive and generally peaceful, though it can be feisty toward smaller or more timid tankmates and other wrasses, so choose companions of similar temperament. It mixes well with clownfish, tangs, angelfish, other robust wrasses and most reef fish, and it earns its keep by eating pest invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore that hunts throughout the day. Offer mysis, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and quality frozen and pellet foods once or twice daily. It naturally preys on fireworms, pyramidellid snails and other small invertebrates, which makes it a genuine asset against these pests.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eJuveniles settle in a system of around 225 L, but a minimum of 455 L is recommended for an adult. Maintain temperature at 22–26°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. A soft, fine sand bed at least 5 cm deep is essential so the fish can bury, and a tight-fitting lid is a must, as it is an accomplished jumper. It is reef safe with caution: it will not harm corals and helps control pests, but it may also eat ornamental shrimp, small snails, feather dusters and tubeworms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding is not achieved in home aquaria. Like other Halichoeres wrasses it is a pelagic spawner whose larvae drift as plankton for an extended period, requiring conditions beyond aquarium keeping. Keepers should focus on a mature system with a good sand bed and a varied diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHalichoeres melanurus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMelanurus Wrasse (Tail-spot \/ Pinstriped Wrasse)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWestern Pacific; sand, rubble and reef flats\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 5–8 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive; active\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy to intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e225 L (juvenile); 455 L for an adult\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e455 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; mysis, brine, chopped seafood and quality prepared foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–26°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaturing reef aquariums with a sand bed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe with caution\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, tangs, angelfish, other robust wrasses, anthias and most reef fish of similar temperament.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with prized ornamental shrimp, small snails, feather dusters and tubeworms it may eat, as well as very timid or much smaller fish it could harass.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234132115747,"sku":null,"price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234132148515,"sku":"AA2660","price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55234132181283,"sku":null,"price":54.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Melanurus_Wrasse_Female_Halichoeres_melanurus_78ddedcb-3d7e-4596-91a7-2c7efc29aadc.jpg?v=1781681627","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/melanurus-wrasse","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}