Melanurus Wrasse

The Melanurus Wrasse is widely considered one of the best all-around wrasses for the reef aquarium, combining stunning coloration, excellent pest control abilities, complete reef safety, and a hardy, beginner-friendly constitution. Males display a kaleidoscope of colors including blue, green, yellow, and red horizontal lines along the body with a distinctive black and yellow tail spot. Females are somewhat less vivid but still attractively colored.

This species is a tireless pest controller that actively hunts flatworms, pyramidellid snails, bristleworms, and other nuisance invertebrates that plague reef aquariums. Its natural hunting behavior makes it one of the most functional additions to any reef system. Despite being an active predator of small invertebrates, the Melanurus Wrasse does not harm corals, clams, or larger ornamental invertebrates.

The Melanurus Wrasse is an active, fast-swimming species that brings constant motion and color to the aquarium. It is peaceful toward most tankmates and integrates well into community reef setups. Like many wrasses, it buries itself in the sand bed at night to sleep, so a sand substrate of at least two inches is essential. A tight-fitting lid is also necessary, as this species can jump when startled.