Spotted Wrasse (Anampses meleagrides) saltwater aquarium fish portrait

The Spotted Wrasse (Anampses meleagrides) is an elongate, deep-bodied reef fish with a rounded head, reaching roughly 8 inches in the aquarium. Males are the more striking sex, carrying blue spots and streaks across the head and body along with orange-red patterning and a gradual shift from blue-green forward to yellow-orange toward the tail. Females are considerably more subdued, showing muted brown to tan tones with only subtle spotting. The species ranges widely across the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa east to Hawaii and the central Pacific, where it occupies reef environments throughout.

Adult housing should begin at 120 gallons, with a mature, well-established system built around live rock and generous open swimming room. A sand bed of at least 2 inches is not optional: like other members of the genus, this wrasse dives into the substrate to sleep and to escape perceived danger, rather than wedging itself into rockwork. A tight-fitting cover or full screen lid is equally important, since this species is a known jumper and will leave an open tank. Anampses wrasses are sensitive fish overall, and they should never be exposed to copper-based treatments, which makes quarantine and treatment planning an important part of keeping them. This combination of sensitivity, feeding demands, and setup requirements places the species firmly in expert territory.

On the reef, Anampses meleagrides is a carnivore that works over the substrate and rockwork hunting small crustaceans, copepods, and other small invertebrates. Captive menus should mirror that: frozen mysis shrimp, copepod-rich preparations, finely chopped small crustaceans, and a high-quality carnivore pellet once the fish accepts prepared items. Variety matters here, both for nutrition and for keeping an inherently cautious feeder interested.

Newly imported specimens need frequent meals, and success rates improve markedly when live food is offered first to bridge the transition onto frozen and prepared items. Feed several times daily during acclimation, then taper as the fish settles in and begins picking zooplankton and small organisms from the rock and sand on its own. Established adults generally do well on about two feedings per day. Consistent, generous feeding also reduces the chance that the wrasse turns its attention toward small motile invertebrates.

Frozen Mysis Shrimp Copepods Live Brine Shrimp Small Crustaceans Carnivore Pellets Zooplankton
This is a shy, docile, peaceful wrasse that spends its day cruising open water and working the substrate, retreating into the sand when startled or at night. It does best kept as a pair consisting of one male and one female, or as a single male with several females. Males will not tolerate other males of the same species, so multiple males should be avoided in all but the largest systems.

Tankmate selection deserves real thought. Because the Spotted Wrasse is timid, boisterous or aggressive fish will outcompete it at feeding time and may keep it buried. Introducing this species into an established community can be difficult; an empty tank, or one stocked only with calm species, gives it the best chance to begin feeding confidently before more assertive fish are added. It shows no inclination to bother corals, but it is reef safe with caution: small shrimp, small crabs, and very small motile invertebrates can prove too tempting. Frequent, well-timed feeding substantially reduces that risk.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Spotted Wrasse

  • Will a Spotted Wrasse harm my shrimp or crabs?
    It is not usually a broad threat to shrimp and other invertebrates, but small shrimp and crabs, especially very small individuals, can be taken. Frequent feeding lowers that risk considerably.
  • What kind of substrate does this fish need?
    Provide at least 2 inches of sand so the wrasse can bury itself when frightened and when sleeping at night. Without a suitable sand bed, this species will be chronically stressed.
  • How often should a Spotted Wrasse be fed?
    Feed several times a day while the fish is new and acclimating, ideally starting with live food. Once established and foraging on its own, roughly twice-daily feeding is usually sufficient for a full-grown fish.