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Tail-spot Wrasse

Halichoeres melanurus

Tail-spot Wrasse

Halichoeres melanurus
Other Common Names
Hoeven’s wrasse, Pinstriped wrasse
At the Aquarium
Connected Coasts
Other Common Names
Hoeven’s wrasse, Pinstriped wrasse

At the Aquarium

Connected Coasts

Appearance

Females of this species have alternating narrow orangeish yellow and blue stripes that span from their heads to their tail fin. They have a blue-edged black spot at the base of their tail fin and another spot in the middle of their dorsal fin. Another spot can be found at the front of their dorsal fin.

The bodies of males have blue-green and orange stripes with three to six narrow blue-green bars on the upper side. Their heads are striped, alternating between pink and blue-green. Their tail fin is blue with curved orange-red bands and a large vertical black spot. There is also a large yellow spot and a smaller black spot at the base of the males’ pectoral fin.

Tail-spot wrasse are small fish, growing to a maximum length of about 12 cm.

Habitat

Shallow coral reefs and rocky shores.

Diet

Small invertebrates such as polychaetes, copepods, isopods and forams.

Life History

Like most wrasse species, the tail-spot wrasse begins its life as female and are able to change their sex to male at some point in their life. Once a female begins its transition to male, they undergo two phases, initial and terminal. Initial phase males spawn in large groups. Males in the terminal phase establish mating territories and pair-spawn with females. During this transition the tail-spot wrasse also changes color with males becoming larger and brighter than females.

The tail-spot wrasse form social groups called harems with one male and several females. Females often move between different males’ territories to change their mates.

Males perform courtship rituals which are followed by eggs and sperm being released into the water. Fertilized eggs then float and disperse by ocean currents. Once the eggs hatch, the tail-spot wrasse enter a larval stage which was recorded to last about 22 days. Then the tail-spot wrasse settles in coral reefs and rocky shores.

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

The tail-spot wrasse plays a role in ecosystem balance as a predator of small invertebrates. They help control these populations which contributes to the health of coral reefs.
Range
Found in the western Pacific, from the Ryukyu Islands, southern Japan south to the Great Barrier Reef in the east and the Kimberleys in the west of Australia and east to Samoa and Tonga.
On the Oregon Coast
This animal is not native to the Oregon Coast, however is found in the larger Pacific Ocean. It lives in the Aquarium as part of our Connected Coasts gallery.
Fun Facts
When looking for a mate, females of this species prefer larger and brighter males.

Citations & Other Resources

  • Cabanban, A., J.H. Choat, D. Pollard, and R. Myers. 2010. Halichoeres melanurus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010.
  • Myers, R. F. 1991. Micronesian reef fishes : a practical guide to the identification of the coral reef fishes of the tropical central and western Pacific (2nd ed.). Coral Graphics.
  • Randall, J. E., G.R. Allen, and R.C. Steene. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. University of Hawaii Press.
  • Groover, E. M., M.M. Alo, S.W. Ramee, T.N. Lipscomb, J.-M.L.A.Degidio, and M.A. DiMaggio. 2021. Development of early larviculture protocols for the melanurus wrasse Halichoeres melanurus. Aquaculture, 530, 735682-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735682
  • Kuwamura, T., K. Karino, and Y. Nakashima. 2000. Male morphological characteristics and mating success in a protogynous coral reef fish, Halichoeres melanurus. Journal of Ethology, 18(1), 17–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s101640070019
  • Sakai, Y., K. Karino, Y. Nakashima, and T. Kuwamura. 2002. Status-dependent behavioural sex change in a polygynous coral-reef fish, Halichoeres melanurus. Journal of Ethology, 20(2), 101–105. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-002-0060-0
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Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

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