Melanurus Wrasse (Hoeven's Wrasse)

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*SAND SUBSTRATE REQUIRED*
With Caution - May eat some small beneficial snails

Halichoeres melanurus, or the Melanurus Wrasse, is also referred to as the Tail Spot Wrasse and Hoeven's Wrasse. This wrasse is both prized for
its beauty and its penchant for feeding on pests like parasites, flatworms, and bristleworms. The body of this fish is blue-green in color and has stunning pink and yellow stripes running horizontally across its sides. The male is more vibrant in color generally. The female has a spot on its tail, but the male does not.

Regular feedings should include vitamin enriched frozen mysis shrimp, frozen brine shrimp, and other meaty foods along with a high quality marine flake and/or marine pellet food.

Like most other wrasses, the Melanurus Wrasse is usually always on patrol, looking for food. It will scour the rocks and corals for pests and may pick at algae, while largely ignoring the other residents of the reef. At night, it will burrow under the sand and tuck itself into bed. Growing up to 5 inches on average, this wrasse is carnivorous and will require supplemental food such as fish flakes, Mysis shrimp, or brine shrimp.  Be advised, they will kill little snails sometimes. Your tank should be least 50 gallons and have some type of enclosure over the top to protect the Melanurus Wrasse from itself as it could jump right out of the tank if it gets spooked while swimming upward. This wrasse also requires a tank with approximately 3-4 inches of sand to hide and sleep in.