TankBud

Yellowtail tamarin wrasse

Anampses meleagrides

Also known as Spotted Wrasse, Yellowtail Wrasse, Spotted Tamarin Wrasse

SaltwaterFish

Yellowtail tamarin wrasse (Anampses meleagrides)
Rob · CC BY 2.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
8.7 in
22 cm
Minimum tank
90 gal
340 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe with caution
Family
Labridae
Origin
Widespread in the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa to the western Pacific, over sand and rubble around coral reefs.

Overview

The yellowtail tamarin wrasse is a peaceful, delicate wrasse that picks its food from the sand of a large reef tank. It is best left to experienced keepers.

Did you know

Like other members of its genus, Anampses, the yellowtail tamarin wrasse has hinged, forward-pointing teeth. It uses them to pluck prey from the substrate.

Caring for the yellowtail tamarin wrasse

Give the yellowtail tamarin wrasse a well-established tank of at least 90 gal (340 L), with a deep bed of fine sand. It buries itself in the sand at night and when frightened. The tank should hold a healthy population of small bottom life, such as tiny crustaceans and worms, for it to pick from.

Keep the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Tamarin wrasses are among the trickiest wrasses to settle in, so pick a healthy fish that is already feeding. New arrivals often ignore prepared food at first. Live mysis, brine shrimp and pods are usually needed to get one eating.

The yellowtail tamarin wrasse is peaceful and solitary. Keep it with calm tank mates that will not outcompete it for food. It is reef safe with caution around small shrimp and worms.

Good to know

The yellowtail tamarin wrasse, Anampses meleagrides, belongs to the family Labridae. Adults are dark with white spots and a yellow tail, while juveniles are brown with a couple of pale blotches. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, changing from female to male with age.

In the wild

The yellowtail tamarin wrasse is widespread in the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the western Pacific. It forages over open sand and rubble around coral reefs.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The yellowtail tamarin wrasse is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a yellowtail tamarin wrasse need?

A yellowtail tamarin wrasse needs at least 90 gal (340 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a yellowtail tamarin wrasse need?

A yellowtail tamarin wrasse is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a yellowtail tamarin wrasse eat?

A yellowtail tamarin wrasse picks tiny crustaceans and worms from the sand. New arrivals often ignore prepared food at first, so live mysis, brine shrimp and pods are usually needed to get one eating.

How big does a yellowtail tamarin wrasse get?

An adult yellowtail tamarin wrasse reaches about 8.7 in (22 cm).

Related species