Pinstripe Melanurus Wrasse – Female – Philippines

Halichoeres melanurus (female)

The Pinstripe Melanurus Wrasse is a colorful and hardy reef fish prized for its vibrant stripes, active behavior, and natural pest-control abilities. It features a green to turquoise body with horizontal blue or purple stripes. Males are more vibrant, showcasing brighter fins and pronounced black ocelli on the dorsal and caudal fins, often edged in electric blue. Females share the same pattern but have softer colors and less defined markings. Coloration may vary with age, collection location, and breeding cycles. This species thrives in aquariums with plenty of live rock, providing essential hiding spots like caves and crevices. A deep sandy substrate is crucial, as they bury themselves at night or when startled. Due to their tendency to jump, a secure, tight-fitting lid is strongly recommended. Peaceful and reef-safe, the Pinstripe Melanurus Wrasse gets along well with most tankmates. It is carnivorous and feeds on a variety of frozen foods such as mysis and brine shrimp, along with high-quality pellets and flakes, ideally offered 2–3 times daily. In addition to its beauty, it also offers practical benefits by helping control flatworms and bristle worms in reef tanks. Reaching up to 5 inches in length, this wrasse requires a minimum tank size of 70 gallons. In the wild, it ranges across the West Central Pacific Ocean—from Japan to the Great Barrier Reef and eastward to Samoa—with this specimen being collected near the Philippines. There, they are typically found in shallow lagoons with sandy rubble at depths of up to 85 feet.