Earmuff Wrasse
Halichoeres melasmapomus/xanti
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 2 - 3" - Central Pacific | Original price was: $353.99.$185.99Current price is: $185.99. | Email me | |
| Out of Stock | 2" or smaller - Central Pacific | Original price was: $294.99.$154.99Current price is: $154.99. | Email me |
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Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | With Caution |
| Functional Benefit | Pest Control |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 90 gallons |
| Max Size | 10 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Earmuff Wrasse (Halichoeres melasmapomus/xanti) is a sand-sleeping Halichoeres wrasse that spends the day cruising rock and sand and can help reduce nuisance worms and small snails in established reef tanks. Adults develop the distinctive dark “ear” spot near the gill cover, with green-to-olive body tones and orange/red facial striping that becomes more defined as the fish matures.
What You’ll Observe:
- Quick dives into the sand at lights-out, and fast “burrow” retreats when startled
- Regular laps along the sand line, pausing to pick at small invertebrates
- A predictable morning routine—often emerging soon after the lights ramp up
- More out-in-front behavior as it learns your feeding schedule
Set up your tank with a fine sand zone for sleeping/burrowing, plus rockwork with multiple swim-throughs so it can patrol and forage naturally. Offer a mix of meaty frozen foods and quality pellets in smaller portions across the day to keep it active and focused on foraging. A tight-fitting lid helps with typical wrasse jumping behavior.
Why did my Earmuff Wrasse disappear right after I added it?
It’s common for sand-sleeping wrasses to stay buried for extended stretches at first, then begin showing up in short windows that gradually get longer.
Will it bother cleaner shrimp or my clean-up crew?
Many keepers report they ignore larger cleaner shrimp when well-fed, but they may still hunt very small shrimp, tiny snails, and certain worms they find while foraging.
Does it mix well with fairy and flasher wrasses?
In most community reef setups, it’s commonly paired with fairy/flasher wrasses as long as everyone has room to establish their own “routes” through the rockwork.
Is it normal for it to throw sand onto nearby corals?
Some sand-sleeping wrasses kick up sand when they dive in or burst out, and keepers often just adjust the fish’s preferred sleep spot by changing where the deepest/softest sand is.
Can I keep two Earmuff Wrasses together?
Pairs are kept by some hobbyists; success is most common when both are introduced around the same time so they settle in on the same schedule.
We work with trusted suppliers who keep our specimens healthy and well-fed before shipping.
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