Species name: Anampses meleagrides
Common names: Spotted wrasse, yellowtail wrasse
Family: Labridae
Subfamily: Corinae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Maximum length: 8.66 in
Minimum tank size: 55 gallons
Hardiness: Difficult to keep in an aquarium due to its feeding habits. The members of Anampses genus are rated lowest in terms of survival in aquarium.
Aggressiveness: Peaceful but may harass fish that are too small as compared to its size.
Reef Compatibility: Yes
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa and the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan.
Diet: Carnivore. It eats very small invertebrates (amphipods) that grow on live rock. Its diet should include live, small feeder shrimps (brine, mysid) and finely chopped marine meats.
Additional information:
Yellowtail wrasse – Anampses meleagrides is native to the Indo-Pacific where it can be found in areas of mixed coral, rubble, consolidated limestone, sand of seaward reefs and in soft coral or sponge habitats at depths of 10 to 200 feet.
The female has a black body while the male has a deep violet body. Males and females are covered with varying sized white or pale yellow dots extending to the dorsal and anal fins.
It requires a 55 gallon or larger aquarium with a 2 inch layer of fine live sand in which to bury itself for sleep and hide from its tank mates. The aquarium may be decorated with coral or rocks. It is a jumper, so a secure lid on the aquarium is required.
Ideally, water temperature should be at 72-78ºF, specific gravity at 1.020-1.025 and pH between 8.1 and 8.4
