White Spotted Tamarin Wrasse

White Spotted Tamarin Wrasse, Anampses melanurus, are beautiful fish. Like all members of the Anampses genus, males and females display different colour morphs.

Males and females have dark bodies that display neat rows of creamy white dots. These elegant beauties have a white tipped tail which also features a striking, thick yellow band. What sets the males apart from the females is the pattern on the body. Male White Spotted Tamarin Wrasse have a single broad yellow band running from their gill to tail. In which, the rows of spots are still visible. Juveniles are distinguishable by their irregular markings, which they have in place of circles.

Anampses wrasse are collectively known as Tamarins. They are identifiable by: lacking scales on their head, smooth cheeks (smooth preopercular margin), a complete lateral line and a pair of broad, incisiform teeth.

White Spotted Tamarin Wrasse, Anampses melanurus, Ecology.

White Spotted Tamarin Wrasse range from Indonesia to  Marquesas, Society and Ryukyu Islands. They live on outer reefs and drop off in the pacific ocean. The reef helps the fish avoid predation. Failing that, the White Spotted Tamarin Wrasse will also quickly disappear by burying themselves in the sediment.

These Fish have extensive diets. They are able to capture speedy prey, as well as being able to handle soft and shelled animals. They will hunt worms and small crustaceans such as: copepod, isopod, amphipods, small shrimp and crab. When these Wrasse find food, they signal to the rest of their group that there is something to eat, by making curious clicking noises.

White Spotted Tamarin Wrasse live in social groups with one dominant male to a few or more females. These fish are protogynous hermaphrodites. Which means that, when they get old enough, breeding females transition into a male. As a result, all juveniles are immature females.

Wrasse In the Aquarium.

It is important to copy the natural environment by providing plenty of nooks and crannies. There should also be a good sand bed for the wrasse to hide and sleep in. Hobbyists should get a jump guard to stop any unfortunate losses.

White Spotted Tamarin Wrasse do best when fed a varied diet. They will accept enriched frozen mysis shrimp and enriched frozen brine shrimp. They will also devour live foods, such as copepods and amphipods, that can be cultivated in attached refugium. Over time they will accept high-quality pellet or flake. We adapt all our wrasse to aquarium life before they leave us. We focus on their health, and most are eating a good quality flake food and/or pellet, such as JBL Maris, before being offered for sale.