Pinstriped wrasse

About

Hoeven's wrasse (Halichoeres melanurus) is one of those Indo-Pacific reef fish that rewards a second look. Males develop a vivid yellow tail and a detailed lattice of green and pink across the body, with a distinctive dark ocellus near the tail that gives rise to the 'tail-spot' nickname. Females and juveniles are more subdued, wearing a pale body with a neat dark stripe along the lateral line. Which explains the 'pinstriped' label. Like most members of its genus, this wrasse spends its days methodically picking across rockwork and sandy substrate in search of small invertebrates, and that hunting behavior translates well to aquarium life. It will go after flatworms, small snails, and bristle worms with real enthusiasm. That makes it a genuinely useful addition rather than just a decorative one. One habit to plan around: Hoeven's wrasse is a confirmed sand-diver and will bury itself to sleep or when startled, so a sandbed deep enough to accommodate this is a practical necessity rather than an optional extra. It generally ignores fish tankmates and coral, making it a reasonable fit for a reef setup in the hands of a keeper who understands its quirks.