Yellowtail Tamarin Wrasse Care Guide
Anampses meleagrides is an Indo-Pacific wrasse; females are black with white spots and a yellow tail, males iridescent. A delicate feeder needing a mature tank.
Overview
The yellowtail tamarin wrasse, also called the spotted wrasse (Anampses meleagrides), is a wrasse of the family Labridae from the Indo-Pacific. Females are black with white spots and a yellow tail, while males become iridescent. The species reaches about 22 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Labridae
- Genus: Anampses
- Scientific name: Anampses meleagrides
- Described by Valenciennes, 1840
Habitat
The species ranges from the Red Sea and East Africa across the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific, reaching Samoa and the Tuamotu Islands and extending north to Japan. It is a coral-reef fish found at depths of about 3 to 60 m.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Maximum size: about 22 cm
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
- Fine sand bed for burying
Diet
Anampses meleagrides is carnivorous and feeds on small benthic invertebrates picked from the substrate. Like other Anampses wrasses it is a delicate feeder that does best in a mature system with live microfauna.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful, diurnal wrasse of the middle water column that buries in sand to rest. Calm tank mates such as anthias, cardinalfish and gobies suit it, and a fine sand bed is required.
Reef compatibility
Anampses meleagrides does not harm corals and is considered reef-safe, although it grazes small benthic invertebrates and the microfauna it relies on for food. Specific gravity 1.024-1.026, carbonate hardness 8-12 dKH.
Conservation status
The IUCN Red List assesses Anampses meleagrides as Least Concern. It is of minor importance to local commercial fisheries and appears in the aquarium trade.