Tail Spot Wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus)

The Tail Spot Wrasse is a vivid Indo-Pacific wrasse with a green and orange-striped body and a characteristic black spot at the base of the tail fin. It is a popular reef-safe species valued both for its bright coloration and its practical benefit of eating flatworms, small pyramidellid snails, and other reef pests. An active swimmer that covers its entire territory during the day, it makes a lively and beneficial addition to mixed reef communities.

Provide a sandy substrate of at least 5 cm depth as Halichoeres wrasses sleep buried in sand at night. Cover all intakes with filter guards — this species can be sucked into uncovered powerheads. Feed frozen mysis, Artemia, krill, and quality marine pellets multiple times daily. Reef-safe toward corals and most invertebrates; may target very small ornamental shrimp. Provide a tight-fitting lid as it is prone to jumping.