Blacktail Wrasse

The Blacktail Wrasse is a striking species distinguished by its body covered in bright white or yellow spots on a dark background, combined with its namesake solid black tail. Males develop more intense coloration with larger, more vivid spots and can display greenish-blue facial markings, while females maintain a more uniformly spotted appearance.

This species is classified as expert-only due to its extremely difficult feeding requirements. In the wild, the Blacktail Wrasse feeds continuously on tiny benthic invertebrates, and transitioning to prepared aquarium foods is notoriously challenging. Many specimens refuse prepared foods entirely and slowly starve in captivity. Only experienced aquarists with mature, well-established reef systems should attempt keeping this species.

The Blacktail Wrasse is a sand sleeper that buries itself in the substrate at night. A mature aquarium with a deep sand bed, abundant live rock teeming with copepods and amphipods, and ideally a connected refugium is essential for long-term success. Despite its care challenges, this species is completely peaceful and reef safe, making it a desirable but demanding addition for expert aquarists.