Two Tone Wrasse - No Online Purchases

The Two Tone Wrasse (often referred to as the Half-and-Half Wrasse or Coco Island Wrasse) is a striking addition to a marine aquarium. Known scientifically as Hemigymnus melapterus, these fish are famous for their literal "split" personality in colour.

Description
The Two Tone Wrasse is a master of contrast. As juveniles, they are often greenish-white on the front half and jet black on the back. As they mature, the front section shifts toward a pale grey or lime green, while the rear remains dark, often developing intricate scale patterns.

Size: They can grow quite large, often reaching 60–90 cm in the wild, though they usually stay slightly smaller in home aquaria.

Temperament: Generally peaceful with larger tank mates but can be semi-aggressive toward smaller fish or other wrasses as they claim territory.

Behaviour: They are active sand-sifters. You’ll often see them taking a mouthful of sand, "chewing" it to find tiny crustaceans, and spitting the remains back out.

Husbandry & Care
1. Tank Requirements
Because these fish love to swim and grow relatively fast, space is non-negotiable.

Minimum Tank Size: 450–600 litres for an adult.

Substrate: You must have a deep sandy bottom (at least 5–8 cm). Like many wrasses, they bury themselves in the sand to sleep or when they feel threatened. Using crushed coral or coarse gravel can scratch their skin and lead to infections.

Aquascaping:Provide plenty of live rock for hiding, but ensure there is ample open swimming space.

2. Water Parameters
They are hardy once established, but consistency is key.

Temperature: 24°C – 27°C

Salinity: 1.020 – 1.025 sg

pH: 8.1 – 8.4

3. Diet and Feeding
These are carnivores with high metabolisms.

Variety: Feed a mix of high-quality frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and chopped seafood (prawns or squid).

Frequency: They should be fed 2–3 times a day.

Warning: They are not reef-safe in the long term. They will happily snack on your ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, and occasionally small tube worms.

Experience Level     Intermediate
Reef Compatible     No (will eat invertebrates)
Diet                          CarnivoreMinimum 
Tank Size                 450L+
Sleep Habit             Buries in sand