Yellowtail Tamarin Wrasse

Care at a glance

Overview

This is a difficult fish that needs a well established 340 litre or larger tank with a deep fine sand bed, kept at 23 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4. New arrivals often ignore prepared food at first, so live mysis, brine shrimp, and pods are usually needed to get it eating. It is reef safe with caution around small shrimp and worms. Keep it with calm tankmates that will not outcompete it for food.

In the wild

The yellowtail tamarin wrasse forages over open sand and rubble, picking tiny crustaceans and worms from the bottom. Adults are dark with white spots and a yellow tail, while juveniles are brown with a couple of pale blotches. It buries in the sand at night and when frightened. This is a delicate wrasse that needs a mature tank with a healthy population of small bottom life.

Good to know

Anampses meleagrides is a tamarin wrasse in the family Labridae. Members of this genus have hinged, forward pointing teeth used to pluck prey from the substrate. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, changing from female to male with age.

Did you know

Tamarin wrasses are among the trickiest wrasses to settle in, and success depends on picking a healthy fish that is already feeding.

Related species

• 

  Leopard Wrasse

  Macropharyngodon meleagris

  5.9 in (15 cm)90 gal (340 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Melanurus Wrasse

  Halichoeres melanurus

  5.5 in (14 cm)100 gal (380 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Adorned Wrasse

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• 

  Divided Leopard Wrasse

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• 

  Coral Hogfish

  Bodianus mesothorax

  7.9 in (20 cm)90 gal (340 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Radiant Wrasse

  Halichoeres iridis

  4.5 in (11.5 cm)75 gal (284 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)