Melanurus Wrasse

Looks how to spot one

Slender wrasse

A slim wrasse with a blue-green body striped horizontally in orange, pink or yellow. Females and young fish show dark eye-spots on the dorsal fin and near the tail, and males can brighten their colours dramatically when courting.123

Personality what they are like

Peaceful and busy, getting along with calm tankmates and even with others of its own kind.3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

An active swimmer that patrols the rockwork during the day and needs a sandy bottom.3

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Offer meaty foods such as enriched frozen mysis and brine shrimp. It may also snack on small ornamental invertebrates.3

Home where they are happiest

Minimum about 50 US gallons (189 L) with a sandy bottom. Wild fish live on shallow coral reefs and rocky shores at 1 to 15 m.31

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Carnivore. In the wild it eats small invertebrates such as worms, copepods, isopods and forams; in aquariums it takes meaty frozen foods.13

Company who they like around

Found alone or in small groups in the wild and forms pairs to breed.1

The story where it all began

Pieter Bleeker described it in 1851 as Julis melanurus. Its common name refers to the dark spot near the tail, and it is a popular display fish in public aquariums.21

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Least Concern (assessed 2008)1