Melanurus Wrasse

[username in use]

Any experience with these buggers. Im thinking about getting one to cut down my planaria population before it gets out of hand, what do you all think.

[ghost427]

Great fish. He's always looking for parasites and adds alot of color to the tank. The only issue I have is he keeps picking off my snails. You also need a sand bed he will dive in to sleep.

[username in use]

he keeps picking off your snails huh? How often do you feed, do you think I could curb that with frequent feedings, or is all on a fish by fish basis you figure? I know all fish are different and there are people that say they keep all sorts of stuff with no problems, but I kind of want some odds to play.

[jmaneyapanda]

I have one in a 30 cube (it was a hitchiker, believe it or not), and it did exactly what you wanted- destroyed the planaria in about 2 days. I had a mild population (and didnt care much about them enough to try to eliminate them), but had a small mandarin in the tank. When I added some rock, and guess who showed up! Anyway, 8 months later, and she still hasnt grown at all, but eats well, is docile, and performs a function.

[username in use]

wow, nice hitchiker.

[Cozmo4]

I just got one a couple of weeks ago to take care of some flatworms. The flatworm population appears to have been nearly cut in half already. He's constantly picking at the rocks. It was instantly one of my favorite fish once I put him in. I have seen him take out a snail or two though.

[jmaneyapanda]

wow, nice hitchiker.

It shocked, and concerned me, because I have a L. carmabi in this tank, and thought for sure there would be an issue. But they ignore one another. I have been trying to catch out the melanurus since, but, in exception of removing all the rock, I dont think its going to happen.

[WestTexasReefer]

I have had one for about 2 Years and he has been a model citizen. Great fish always active.

[ghost427]

I usually feed the tank once a day. He's always the first one to eat. I wouldn't worry about the snails. They will pick them off once in a while but not a major deal. Also watch out if you have any shrimp in the tank.

[cubsFAN]

what depth sand is appropriate for the melanarus wrasse?

[ghost427]

My sand bed is about 1 1/2 to 2 inches deep. They will find a spot and dig themselves in.

[cubsFAN]

thanks ghost427

[rhkingsfan]

added a squamosa clam today and my melanarus is attacking him =(

[username in use]

oooh, thats unfortunate.

[38bill]

I have had a melanarus in my 215 for over a year and he's a great fish. My melanarus is so focused on hunting that he totally ignores his other tank mates include the shrimp. I also have 5 other wrasses and run a bare bottom and they do just fine with lots of live rock to hide in.

RHKINGSFAN, could it be that the wrasse is finding parasites on the new clam and thats what why its picking on it?

[JTL]

Would a melanarus and a mandarin compete for pods like a six line? Also are they prone to jumping?

[Merfin70]

I had one for over a year. Fantastic fish for picking at nasties in the tank. Never a problem with my shrimp or my clam. Worst I could say about him was that he wasn't fond of other fishes that looked like him. Anything long and skinny that I added got a bit of harrassment at first.

[Antonais1391]

awsome fish watch out tho they grow fast. there also pritty teritorial of where they sleep. or at least mine is.